PRINCETON,   N.   J.  "> 


BX  5199   .B45  B5  v. 2 
Birks,  T.   R .  1810-1883. 
Memoir  of  the  Rev.  Edward 
Bickersteth 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 


v 


in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/memoirofrevedwar02birk 


) 


MEMOIR 


OF  THE 

EEV.  EDWABD  BICKEKSTETH, 


LATE  RECTOR  OF  WATTON,  HERTS. 


BY 

THE  REV.  T.  R.  BIRKS,  M.A., 

RECTOR  OF  KELSHALL,  HERTS. 


WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION 

BY 

STEPHEN  H.  TYNG,  D.D. 


VOL.  II. 


NEW  YORK: 
HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

No.   82   CLIFF  ST. 
1851. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II, 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
A.D.  1830-1832. 

REMOVAL  TO  WATTON,  1-37. 

Perplexities,  2. — Letters,  4. — "Chief  Concerns,"  6. — Journal  before  Re- 
moval, 6. — New  Home,  9. — Parochial  Services,  10. — Visitation  Sermon,  12. 
— Missionary  Journeys.  14. — Riots  and  Cholera,  15,  16. — Tract  for  the 
Fast  Day,  18. — Letter  to  Mr.  Garwood,  19. — Sermon  for  Church  Missionary 
Society,  20.— Birth-day  Reflections,  22.— Death  of  Mother,  24.— Chris- 
tian's Family  Library,  24. — Bible  Society  Controversy,  25-31. — Mr.  Sim- 
eon's Jubilee,  32. — Hymn-book,  32. — Reflections  at  Close  of  Year,  36. 


CHAPTER  XVIH. 
A.D.  1833-1835. 

VARIOUS  LABORS   AT  WATTON,  38-67. 

Change  of  Views  on  Prophecy,  38-41. — Reflections,  42. — Letter  to  His 
Daughter,  45. — Letters  to  Wife  on  Family  Duties,  46-49. — Journal,  50. — 
Jews'  Society  Sermon,  53. — Letter  from  Lady  L.  Whitmore,  55. — Useful- 
ness of  his  Works,  56-58. — Deepening  Humility,  58. — Journeys  and  Cor- 
respondence, 60. — Letters  to  Children,  61. — Journal,  Practical  Guide,  63. 
—Letters,  64-66— Cottager's  Guide,  67. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
A.D.  1836, 1837. 

PUBLIC  ENGAGEMENTS,  68-105. 

Progress  of  Popery,  68-71.— Letter  to  Lady  Whitmore,  72.— Christian-knowl- 
edge Society,  74-77.— Letter  on  Protestant  Popery,  77-—  Letter  from  Dr. 
Chalmers,  80.— Letter  on  Missions,  81.— Writer's  Visit  to  Watton,  82.— 
Journal,  83—  Journey  to  Ireland,  85.— Address  to  Irish  Clergy,  86.— Let- 


iv 


CONTENTS. 


ter  from  Dublin.  87. — European  Society.  88. — Letter  from  York,  90. — 
Visit  of  Lord  Ashley,  91. — Spencer  Thornton,  92. — Pastoral  Aid  Society, 
93-98.— Journal,  98-101—  Sermon  for  Reformation  Society,  102.— Letter 
on  Waiting,  103. — On  Love  of  Admiration,  104. 

CHAPTER  XX. 
AD.  1837-1839. 

MISCELLANEOUS  LABORS,  106-131. 

Queen's  Accession,  106. — Political  Principles,  107 — Private  Journal,  108. — 
On  Leaving  School,  109. — Martyn's  Journals,  110. — Scotch  Journey,  111. 
— Journey  to  York,  115. — Notes  to  General  Marshall,  117. — Various 
Works,  119.— Employments  of  1839,  120.— Letters,  121-123.— London 
City  Mission  121-127. — Letter  on  Changes  and  Recollections,  128. — Pri- 
vate Reflections,  129-131. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
A.D.  1840,  1841. 

VISIT  TO   WESTMORELAND,  AND  ILLNESS,  132-163. 

Penny  Postage,  132.— Labors  of  the  Year,  133,  134.— Visit  to  Westmore- 
land, 138,  139.— War  in  Syria,  140.— Foreign  Aid  Society,  141.— West 
street  Lectures,  142. — Parker  Society,  143. — Bishopric  at  Jerusalem,  and 
Restoration  of  the  Jews  144. — Visit  of  Bishop  Meade,  146. — Patronage 
of  Church  Missionary  and  Jews'  Societies,  147. — Derbyshire  Journey,  148. 
— Attack  of  Paralysis,  149. — Letters  of  Mr.  Grimshawe  and  Mr.  Pratt, 
150, 151.— Reflections,  152.— Letters,  153-159.— Letter  to  Mr.  Elliott,  160. 
—To  General  Marshall,  161.— Close  of  Year,  163. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
A.D.  1842. 

PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON,  164-183. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
AD.  1843. 

VARIOUS   CHURCH  QUESTIONS,  184-214. 

The  Divine  Warning  184. — Reflections  on  the  Times,  185. — Gospel  Propa- 
gation Society,  187-190. — Protest  against  Tractarianism,  191. — Opium 
Traffic,  193. — To  a  Young  Friend  before  Confirmation,  194.— Christian 
Union,  195.— Free  Church  Movement,  197.— Bible  Society,  200.— Notes 


CONTENTS. 


V 


and  Journal,  202-205.— Letter  to  Son  on  going  to  College,  206-209.— 
Notes  to  Son  at  College,  210.— Correspondence,  212. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
A.D.  1844. 

JOURNEY  TO   SCOTLAND,  215-245. 

History  of  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church,  215.— Controversy  at  Aberdeen, 
216. — At  Edinburgh,  217.— Church  Missionary  Society,  219. — Invitation 
to  Edinburgh,  220. — Perplexities,  220. — Journal,  221. — Correspondence 
with  Friends  before  the  Journey,  222-227. — Blessing  on  the  Journey,  228. 
— Letter  to  Secretaries  on  Return,  228. — Effects  of  Journey,  231-233. — 
Parish  and  Public  Work,  233-235.— Notes  to  Son  at  College,  and  Others, 
236-239.— Death  of  Mr.  Pratt,  Funeral  Sermon,  and  Reflections,  240-245. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
A.D.  1845. 

MAYNOOTH,  AND   CHRISTIAN  UNION,  246-275. 

Letters  to  General  Marshall  in  his  Last  Illness,  240-249. — Journal,  250. — 
Letters  on  Maynooth  Bill,  252-254. — Private  Life,  255-257.— Letters  on 
Christian  Union,  258. — First  Steps  toward  Evangelical  Alliance,  258. — 
Conference  at  Liverpool,  259-264.— Difficulties,  266-270. — Letter  to  Swiss 
Brethren,  271.— Reflections  at  the  Close  of  the  Tear,  274. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
A.D.  1846. 

DANGEROUS  ILLNESS,  AND   EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE,  276-313. 

Journey  and  Letters  on  Alliance,  276-280.— Dangerous  Accident,  280.— Let- 
ter to  Committee  of  Alliance,  283.— To  Mrs.  Smith,  286.— Paper  on  the 
Divine  Goodness,  288.— Relapse,  289.— Letters  to  his  People,  290-292.— 
From  Mr.  Venn,  295.— Mr.  James,  296.— Dr.  M'Neile,  297.— Reply  on  the 
Position  and  Duty  of  the  Church  of  England,  298-300.— Notes  to  his 
Children,  301-304.— On  Arnold's  Life,  304.— Irish  Church,  306.— New- 
foundland School  Society,  307.— Mr.  Mayor's  Death,  308.— Formation  of 
the  Alliance,  310-313. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
A.D.  1847,  1848. 

SPECIAL  APPEAL,  AND  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE,  314-350. 

Early  Efforts  for  Ireland,  314.— Famine,  315.— Appeal  for  Ireland,  316. 
Censure  and  Opposition,  318-320.— Letter  to  American  Member  of  the 


vi 


CONTENTS. 


Alliance,  321.— Journal,  324-328— Letter  to  Mr.  Auriol,  329.— To  Lord 
Ashley,  on  Prospects  of  Country,  331-332.— Lecture  on  Popery  in  the 
Colonies,  333.— Journal,  334-341.— Visit  of  African  Students,  342.— Notes 
to  Children,  343.— Church  Missionary  Jubilee,  345-350. 

CHAPTER  XXVni. 
A.D.  1849. 

IEISH  CHURCH  MISSION,  AND  JOURNEYS,  351-384. 

Character  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  Labors,  351. — Mr.  Noel's  Secession,  352. — 
Working  Men's  Sabbath  Essays,  353.— Parish  Work,  354-358.— Irish 
Journey,  359-362.— Meeting  in  London,  363.— Notes  of  Speeches,  365. — 
Bible  Society,  366. — Swedish  Missionaries,  368. — Weston-super-mare, 
368.— Dr.  M'Neile's  Visit,  370.— Journey  to  Scotland,  372-375.— Letter 
to  America,  376. — Journal,  379.— Gorham  Cause,  379. — Irish  Church  Mis- 
sions, 380.— Letter  to  France  on  Christian  Union,  382. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 
A.D.  1850. 

LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH,  385-409. 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

REMOVAL   TO  WATTON. 
A.  D.  1830—1832. 

The  presentation  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  the  living  of 
"Watton  opened  a  new  period  in  his  personal  history. 
Concurring  with  that  great  and  sudden  revolution  which 
convulsed  the  whole  of  Europe,  and  seemed,  even  in  Eng- 
land, to  threaten  the  dissolution  of  the  social  fabric,  it 
was  more  than  simply  a  relief  from  conscientious  per- 
plexity, and  the  opening  of  a  new  sphere  of  pastoral  labor. 
It  withdrew  him  from  the  stir  of  London,  and  the  heavy 
pressure  of  his  official  engagements ;  and  placed  him  on 
a  quiet  watch-tower,  where  his  practical  zeal  and  energy 
might  be  combined  with  a  wider  view  of  the  prospects, 
duties,  and  dangers  of  the  Church  of  Christ.  He  availed 
himself  of  the  privilege  thus  afforded  him.  He  felt  the 
weight  of  his  immediate  charge,  and  his  interest  in  that 
beloved  Society,  which  had  employed  so  many  years  of 
his  life,  was  undiminished;  but  he  was  now  led  to  observe 
more  diligently  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  to  lend  an  im- 
partial and  active  support  to  every  work  of  Christian 
benevolence.  Using  the  talents  intrusted  to  him  with 
quiet  and  steady  diligence,  he  gradually  became  a  watch- 
man to  the  whole  Church,  and  an  honored  counselor  of 
his  fellow-ministers.    Every  year  brought  with  it  more 

vol.  n. — A 


2  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

various  claims  of  public  duty,  and  a  silent  accession  of 
moral  influence. 

His  first  entrance,  however,  on  this  new  sphere,  was 
attended  with  many  anxieties.  The  patron  of  the  living, 
with  a  simple  desire  to  secure  at  once  the  fittest  pastor  for 
the  flock,  had  offered  it  to  him,  as  soon  as  Dr.  Deal  try 
had  announced  his  purpose  of  resigning  it  in  June.  AVhen, 
after  some  delay,  a  strong  wish  was  expressed  by  him  to 
retain  it.  and  resign  another  living  instead ;  or,  if  this 
were  impossible,  to  defer  the  resignation  till  the  close  of 
the  year,  an  unforeseen  difficulty  arose.  Mr.  Bickersteth 
had  already  tendered  his  own  resignation,  both  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  Chapel,  and  to  the  Society ;  while  domes- 
tic circumstance  rendered  a  removal  late  in  the  autumn, 
very  undesirable.  His  journal  shows  the  burden  he  felt, 
and  how  earnestly  he  sought  to  cast  all  his  care  upon  his 
heavenly  Father. 

"  April  9th,  1830.  Good  Friday.  There  are  at  present 
difficulties  in  the  way,  as  to  my  speedy  and  secure  settle- 
ment at  Watton.  Lord  Jesus,  I  commit  them  all  to  Thee. 
Eoll  away  every  impediment,  that  Thy  name  may  be 
glorified, 

11  April  11th,  Easier.  How  many  are  the  unmerited  mer- 
cies that  surround  me ;  not,  0  my  God,  for  my  righteous- 
ness, but  for  Thy  Name's  sake.    All  glory  be  to  Thee. 

"  And  there  is  that  mixture  of  darkness  and  light  over 
the  future,  which  is  best  adapted  to  the  exercise  of  all 
Christian  graces,  as  a  stranger  and  a  pilgrim.    .    .  . 

"  April  18th.  My  mind  has  been  much  exercised  by 
the  way  I  have  been  led,  in  the  last  few  weeks,  and  more 
especially  by  the  uncertainties  of  the  future ;  but  it  is 
all  very  sinful,  because  it  all  arises  from  want  of  faith  in 
God. 

"  These  uncertainties  seem  to  be  meant  to  prepare  my 
heart  for  my  new  scenes  of  duty,  and  for  my  new  labors. 

"  I  was  too  much  elevated,  too  buoyant.  I  must  walk 
humbly.  I  was  looking  too  much  at  the  temporal  good. 
I  must  regard  only  the  spiritual  charge.   I  was  too  secure. 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


5 


I  must  learn  the  frailty  and  uncertainty  of  this  world's 
good.  I  was  looking  rather  at  man  than  God.  I  must 
wait  only  on  the  Lord.  O  thou  gracious  Father,  to  Thee 
I  commit  my  way." 

Before  these  uncertainties  had  arisen,  he  wrote  to  his 
much-esteemed  patron.  "  The  more  I  look  back  on  the 
whole  way  by  which  our  gracious  God  has  led  me,  the 
more  I  see  of  His  loving-kindness,  and  do  unfeignedly 
desire  that  I  and  mine  should  be  entirely  devoted  to  Him. 
I  hope  that  His  grace  will  teach  me  to  give  all  my  time 
and  strength  to  the  immediate  duties  to  which  He  calls 
me.  I  can  truly  say  that  my  whole  heart  is  in  the  pas- 
toral work  of  the  ministry,  and  the  enlargement  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom.  ...  I  shall  deeply  feel  giving 
up  a  Society  that  will  ever  be  dear  to  me ;  and  a  most  af- 
fectionate congregation,  on  which  one  of  my  communicants 
the  other  day  observed  that  he  thought  there  had  latterly 
been  a  remarkable  effusion  of  the  Divine  Spirit.  But  cir- 
cumstances have  been  preparing  the  way  for  my  leaving 
the  Society ;  and  in  my  chapel  I  hope  to  obtain  a  succes- 
sor, who  will  follow  up  all  my  plans.  I  shall  enter  on  my 
labors  at  Watton  with  the  joyful  conviction,  that  with  our 
God  is  the  fullness  of  the  Spirit,  and  He  can  there  also 
abundantly  bless." 

"  April  23d.  The  motto  I  desire,  in  my  future  course 
is,  '  Holiness  to  the  Lord,' — devotedness  to  God  my 
Savior. 

"  It  has  been  a  comfort  to  me  to  think,  that  what  is  un- 
certain to  me  is  all  certain  to  Him  who  has  loved  me,  and 
given  himself  for  me,  and  that  it  is  ordered  by  Him. 

"  April  29th.  It  pleases  the  Lord  still  to  exercise  my 
mind,  by  the  continued  uncertainty  of  my  future  plans. 
O  the  extent  of  corruption  within!  its  out-breaking  is,  I 
think,  by  far  the  most  depressing  part  of  the  present  dis- 
pensation. I  want  to  see  in  it,  not  man,  but  God ;  and 
then  all  is  wisdom,  and  truth,  and  love,  and  kindness,  and 
everything  that  is  delightful.  '  My  soul,  wait  thou  only 
on  God,  for  my  expectation  is  from  Him.' 


4 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"In  the  mean  time,  how  absurd  to  be  anxious  about 
future  settlements,  when  weighty  present, duties  are  before 
me !  O  Lord,  enable  me  to  roll  my  burdens  on  Thee ! 
Let  thy  name  be  magnified,  in  using  a  poor  feeble  worm 
like  myself,  for  good  to  Thy  cause,  both  in  my  ministry, 
and  in  the  Society. 

"  May  30th.  Whitsunday.  Dr.  Dealtry  has  fixed  October 
8th,  for  giving  up  Watton.  May  I  then  go  there  in  the 
fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ !  To  God 
be  glory  in  all  these  changes." 

During  the  interval  of  delay,  thus  occasioned,  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth  took  his  last  journey  in  his  official  character,  as 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  and  labored  in  its  cause  with  his 
usual  diligence,  though  his  thoughts  were  now  turning 
often  to  his  new  charge. 

Newcastle,  June  12. 

My  beloved  Wife, 

I  arrived  here  about  an  hour  ago,  and  take  the  first  opportunity 
of  writing  to  one  with  whom  I  have  left  so  much  of  my  heart. 

.  .  .  We  arrived  at  Aylesbury  a  few  minutes  before  three,  and 
I  preached  for  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel.  We  had 
afterward  a  meeting  of  the  Collectors  of  the  Church  Missionary 
Society.  We  reached  Claydon  Hall  about  eight.  Yesterday,  I 
addressed,  first,  the  schools  ;  secondly,  a  meeting  ;  thirdly,  a  con- 
gregation at  Claydon  ;  and,  fourthly,  another  at  Gawcott ;  and 
then  went  to  Stony  Stratford,  slept  for  three  hours,  and  then  got 
into  the  mail  for  Newcastle.    Thus  you  have  my  journey. 

June  15. 

...  I  am  anxious  that  our  own  mind  should  be  quickened 
now  to  prayer  for  a  special  blessing  on  our  going  to  Watton.  A 
fervent  spirit  of  prayer  will  be  a  gracious  token  that  God  means 
to  use  us  there  for  much  good.  .  .  .  And  let  us  not  be  too  anxious 
about  having  things  complete  at  first.  This  world  is  too  full  of 
uncertainties,  for  us  to  be  careful  about  any  thing  but  the  one 
great  concern  of  life. 

I  shall  be  anxious  for  your  next  letter,  to  hear  about  my  Wheler 
Chapel  flock.  May  the  God  of  all  grace  provide  a  faithful  pastor 
for  that  people  :  it  will  wonderfully  relieve  my  mind. 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


5 


I  preached  throe  limes  on  Sunday.  The  evening  congregation 
was  such  as  I  expect  at  Watton,  m  a  country  village  ; — farmers, 
laborers,  and  a  few  of  the  higher  classes.  I  quite  enjoyed  laying 
aside  my  sermons,  and  talking  simply  and  affectionately  with 
them.  .  .  . 

0,  beloved  wife,  how  mercifully  and  lovingly  has  the  Lord 
hitherto  dealt  with  us  as  a  family  !  May  we  walk  gratefully  and 
humhly,  never  once  repine  or  complain  in  our  little  sorrows,  but 
abound  in  thanksgiving  for  our  many  and  great  blessings. 

Preston,  June  26. 

...  I  am  really  anxious  about  my  dearest  J.'s  health.  He 
told  me,  he  thought  he  should  soon  be  gone,  and  the  care  of  all 
his  family  would  devolve  on  me  ;  but  how  little  do  we  know  who 
will  go  first,  or  who  shall  care  for  those  we  leave  behind  !  And 
why  ?  that  we  may  place  all  our  confidence,  not  in  the  creature, 
but  wholly  and  only  in  our  heavenly  Father,  who  loves  all,  cares 
for  all,  and  will  never  fail  them  that  trust  in  Him. 

The  meetings  and  collections  at  Liverpool  were  good,  and  a 
fine  spirit  of  piety  and  love  seems  to  be  given  to  the  people — 
though  on  these  occasions  we  see  things  in  their  holyday  suit.  It 
is  a  mercy,  however,  to  witness  and  quicken  the  zeal  of  the 
churches ;  and  if  God  uses  me  for  this,  to  Him  be  all  praise.  .  .  . 

May  I  return  to  you  with  a  blessing,  and  may  the  intervening 
time  be  profitably  employed,  with  reference  to  all  we  leave,  and 
all  to  which  we  have  to  go.  I  hope  that  we  shall  settle  prin- 
ciples and  plans,  that  may  guide  us  now,  and  be  looked  back  to 
with  comfort  on  a  dying  pillow.  All  should  be  with  reference  to 
eternity. 

We  shall  have  an  opportunity  of  talking  together  about  our 
dear  children's  education.    It  is  the  one  thing  that  terrifies  me, 

when  I  look  at  the  trials  of  A  ,  and  other  good  men.    0  may 

our  God  make  our  children  His  children  !  All  other  things  are 
not,  comparatively,  worth  a  thought. 

I  heard  Dr.  Chalmers  preach  a  very  able  and  profitable  sermon 
from  Isaiah  xxx.  10,  at  the  Scotch  Church  in  Liverpool ;  and 
bless  God  for  raising  up  men,  with  his  talents,  to  plead  His  own 
cause.  But  I  must  close.  The  Lord  give  you  a  happy  Sabbath 
to-morrow,  and  ever  bless  you,  prays 

Your  affectionate  husband, 

E.  Bicker steth. 


6 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


The  parting  from  the  Wheler  Chapel  flock  was  a  very 
great  trial.  He  wished  once  more  to  set  before  them, 
fully  and  plainly,  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  with 
this  view  preached  a  series  of  parting  sermons,  which 
were  soon  after  published,  with  the  title,  "  The  Chief 
Concerns  of  Man."  His  last  sermon  before  leaving  them 
was  on  the  words :— "  Finally,  brethren,  farewell.  Be 
perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace ; 
and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you."  "  I 
would  apply  to  you  Jacob's  consolation  to  Joseph.  '  I  die, 
but  God  shall  be  with  you.'  Though  I  remove,  God  does 
not.  It  pleased  God  to  bless  among  you  a  sermon  on  the 
words — '  Cease  ye  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his 
nostrils.'  We  are  now  called  to  practice  the  duty  there 
presented  to  us.  Oh !  it  is  good  to  look  wholly  away 
from  the  poor  creature,  and  to  glory  only  in  the  Creator. 
And  what  grounds  of  comfort  there  are  for  you !  True, 
you  are  needy,  the  very  fullness  and  extent  of  God's 
promises  may  show  this,  for  there  are  no  useless  promises; 
but  you  can  not  have  a  want  for  which  there  is  not  a  sup- 
ply in  the  promise,  nor  a  fear,  but  there  is  a  suitable  en- 
couragement. ...  0  my  brethren,  well  may  you  spare 
the  feeble  light  of  a  taper,  if  you  have  the  bright  shining 
of  the  full  Sun  of  glory ;  well  may  you  part  with  a  mes- 
senger, if  you  have  his  Master  Himself  as  your  guest  and 
friend.  All  human  aid  is  but  as  that  derived  from  a 
cistern ;  you  have  a  fuller,  an  inexhaustible  source,  for 
'  my  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  according  to  his 
riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus.'  I  commend  you  all  to 
the  God  of  love  and  peace." 

These  Discourses  were  greatly  blessed  at  the  time  of 
their  delivery,  and  still  more  widely  in  their  publication. 
Mr.  Bickersteth  could  thus  look  back  on  the  trials  of  the 
summer,  and  the  unexpected  delay  of  his  removal,  with 
deep  gratitude  and  joy.  The  following  were  his  reflections 
when  the  time  drew  near. 

"  /Septe?nber  4.  .  .  .  Looking  forward  to  the  brief  span 
of  life  before  me,  I  know  not  whether  it  shall  be  a  day,  or 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


7 


many  days, — a  year  or  many  years.  O  Lord  God  my 
Savior,  I  entreat  thee  to  give  me  sufficient  grace,  that  I 
may  serve  Thee,  and  glorify  Thy  name ! 

"  The  snares  around  my  future  path  appear  to  be  these. 
Sinking  into  a  worldly,  self-indulgent,  pleasure-seeking 
life.  Sinking  into  a  mere  literary,  reading,  and  studious 
habit.  Overwhelming  myself  with  too  many  employments, 
none  of  which  would  be  well  done.  Entering  into  much 
religious  visiting,  and  dissipation  of  mind.  Entering  into 
the  secular  concerns  of  a  parish. 

"  O  Lord  my  God,  preserve  me  from  these  snares,  and 
from  every  spiritual  danger,  whether  now  foreseen,  or  not 
at  all  thought  of,  or  known  by  me !  Now,  0  my  God,  the 
grace  I  ask  of  Thee  is — 

"1.  To  devote  myself  ardently  and  fully  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  In  preaching  the  glorious  Gospel  dili- 
gently and  laboriously.  In  visiting  unweariedly  every 
part  of  my  parish,  from  house  to  house,  with  many  tears, 
with  much  prayer. 

"2.  To  foster  the  spirit  of  religion  in  the  county.  By 
clerical  meetings  and  intercourse.  By  religious  associa- 
tions, and  meetings  in  different  places.  By  opening  my 
house  to  every  plan  for  doing  good. 

"3.  To  pursue  religious  publications,  as  God  shall  en- 
able me,  first  trying  to  improve  my  present  works.  To 
write  an  Address  upon  Missions.  To  write  a  Treatise  on 
Baptism,  and  on  Visiting  the  Poor. 

"  4.  To  attend  specially  to  the  religion  of  my  own 
household.  My  wife,  children,  and  servants  must  have 
more  of  my  thoughts,  prayer,  and  time,  as  it  regards  their 
spiritual  welfare. 

"  5.  To  give  that  time  to  the  Church  Missionary  Society 
which  does  not  interfere  with  other  duties.  The  most 
important  aid  will  be  in  journeys  and  committees.  And 
in  all,  and  above  all, 

"  6.  To  walk  closely  with  God,  content  with  nothing, 
but  as  I  have  communion  with  God  in  the  duty,  and 
seek  not  my  own  glory,  but  His,  whose  I  am  and  whom  I 


6 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


serve.  And  here  of  special  importance — prayerful  read- 
ing of  the  Scriptures,  close  self-examination,  and  much 
fervent  prayer. 

"  SejJtember  26.  I  feel  this  to  be  a  crisis  in  my  life. 
The  time  for  going  to  Watton  rapidly  approaches,  and 
with  it  the  giving  up  of  my  present  scenes  of  usefulness, 
my  chapel,  the  Society,  my  London  residence,  my  two 
nieces.  0  how  dependent  I  am  on  the  Lord,  and  how 
soon,  without  Him,  will  all  be  blighted  that  seems  fairest ! 
Lord,  it  is  my  joy  to  leave  all  with  Thee. 

"  October  3.  Again  I  go  with  my  dear  people  to  the 
Lord's  table,  probably  the  most  unworthy  and  sinful  of 
all.  There  are  many,  who  are  now  first,  that  shall  be 
last.  Lord,  only  let  me  enter  to  dwell  in  Thy  light  for- 
ever, though  it  be  among  the  last  and  least." 

Three  days  after  this  entry  in  his  journal,  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  went  down  to  Watton,  to  take  the  first  steps  for  his 
removal ;  and  the  same  day,  during  his  absence,  his 
youngest  child  was  born.  On  the  17th  he  preached  his 
first  sermon  in  Watton  church,  was  instituted  on  the 
19th,  and  inducted  on  the  23d,  and  the  following  day  read 
himself  in,  when  he  thus  records  his  gratitude  to  his  heav- 
enly Father. 

"  October  24.  To  my  gracious  God  be  all  praise.  The 
more  I  trace  of  His  loving-kindness  in  this  matter,  the 
more  I  am  amazed  at  His  condescension  and  grace  to  one 
so  unworthy. 

"O  Lord,  now  it  is  that  I  need  Thy  grace  !  Here  are 
800  precious  souls  committed  to  me,  to  watch  over,  to  feed, 
to  nourish.  What  a  responsible  trust !  Let  me  never  be 
weary  of  entreating  them  to  come  to  Christ ;  let  me  pray 
over  them  and  for  them  ;  let  me  set  them  a  blessed  exam- 
ple, and  walk  among  them  in  Thy  fear,  and  in  constant 
love  to  their  souls. 

"  Many  collateral  mercies  have  accompanied  this.  The 
free,  disinterested  kindness  of  the  Christian  friend,  who, 
with  a  single  eye  to  his  Master's  glory,  presented  the  liv- 
ing to  me,  can  never  be  forgotten.    May  the  Lord  richly 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


9 


return  into  his  own  soul  multiplied  mercies  and  blessings ; 
and  to  his  whole  family,  especially  his  aged  parents  and 
children. 

"  The  kindness  with  which  I  have  been  received  in  the 
parish,  and  the  hopeful  prospect  of  doing  good  here,  from 
the  large  preparation  made  through  faithful  curates,  and 
Mr.  Smith's  bounty  in  the  establishment  of  schools,  call 
again  for  warm  thanksgivings. 

"  Yet  let  me  rejoice  with  trembling.  I  know  what  I 
merit  in  myself ; — only  wrath.  I  know  where  I  am, — in 
a  world  of  tribulation.  I  know  who  hates  me  and  my 
Master — the  devil;  and  how  malignant  and  powerful 
and  active  he  is.  But  though  I  merit  only  wrath,  Jesus 
merits  for  me  great  and  weighty  blessings ;  though  we 
enter  heaven  through  tribulations,  we  may  be  joyful,  as 
well  as  patient,  in  them ;  and '  though  Satan  is  mighty, 
Jesus  is  mightier,  and  will  forever  bruise  him  under  our 
feet." 

On  November  7,  Mr.  Bickersteth  preached  his  farewell 
sermons  at  Wheler  Chapel,  and  at  the  close  of  the  same 
week  his  family  removed  to  their  new  home. 

The  village  of  Watton  is  five  miles  from  Hertford,  and 
twenty-six  miles  from  London,  in  one  of  the  main  north 
roads  through  Stevenage,  Biggleswade,  and  Huntingdon. 
It  lies  in  a  valley,  pleasantly  wooded,  and  watered  by  a 
small  stream  which  joins  the  river  Lea ;  but  the  church 
and  rectory  are  on  a  rising  ground,  at  a  small  distance  on 
the  western  side.  At  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  at  the  south- 
ern end  of  the  village,  the  roads  from  Ware  and  Hertford 
meet  each  other.  Between  them,  to  the  south-east,  is 
Woodhall,  the  seat  of  the  patron,  Abel  Smith,  Esq.,  sur- 
rounded by  a  park  several  miles  in  cirduit,  and  a  private 
walk  of  half  a  mile  leads  to  it  from  the  village,  through  a 
small  copse  by  the  side  of  the  stream.  This  walk,  through 
Mr.  Smith's  kindness,  was  always  open  to  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth and  his  family.  It  was  one  of  his  favorite  resorts, 
when  wearied  with  his  incessant  labors ;  and  he  used 
often,  at  mid-day,  or  in  the  summer  evening,  to  enjoy  this 

A* 


10 


MEMOIR  UK  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


quiet  retreat,  and  to  take  sweet  counsel  there  with  many  a 
dear  friend  who  had  come  to  see  him,  and  to  be  refreshed 
by  the  communion  of  Christian  love. 

In  a  letter  to  his  mother,  soon  after  his  removal,  he 
describes  to  her  his  new  residence. 

I  wish  you  could  now  be  with  me  in  my  capacious  study  Out 
of  one  window  I  see  the  church-tower,  through  the  trees  of  the 
shrubbery  ;  and  out  of  the  other  we  see,  at  a  short  distance,  my 
village,  with  the  sun  shining  upon  it,  and  the  hill  rising  on  the 
other  side  above  it.  Only  may  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  beam 
His  life-giving  rays  on  us,  and  we  shall  be  a  happy  people.  I 
never  expected  such  an  issue  of  this  year,  which  has  been  full  of 
mercies,  trials  being  turned  to  blessings. 

I  have  good  reason  to  hope  also,  that  my  sphere  of  usefulness 
will  not  be  diminished,  if  I  have  but  grace  to  be  diligent  and 
prayerful,  but  rather  increased.  At  present  I  have  a  super- 
abundance of  work,  and  much  is  left  undone. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  entered  at  once  on  new  plans  of  useful- 
ness. On  Sunday,  November  14,  after  the  two  usual  ser- 
vices, he  began  a  catechetical  lecture  to  the  boys  in  the 
evening;  and  a  week-day  lecture  on  the  following  Wednes- 
day, both  of  which  were  continued  through  his  whole 
ministry.  In  the  course  of  the  month  he  also  began  a 
prayer-meeting  at  the  Rectory  on  Saturday  evening,  like 
the  one  at  the  Mission-House,  which  had  been  found  so 
profitable.  This  was  often  a  season  of  refreshment  to  his 
family,  his  friends,  and  pious  parishioners,  and  gave  a 
deeper  tone  to  the  services  of  the  following  day.  Other 
duties,  however,  continued  still  to  rest  upon  him.  In 
the  middle  of  December  he  wrote  to  his  brother  at  Liver- 
pool, UI  begin  to  be  interested  in  my  precious  charge, 
and  am  getting  to  work  among  them.  There  is  a  vast 
deal  to  be  done,  and  nothing  but  the  energy  of  the  Divine 
arm  can  prosper  my  work.  There  are  a  few  devoted 
Christians,  but  very  few, — the  Lord  increase  them  a  hun- 
dred-fold !   I  have  still  a  great  deal  to  do  for  the  Society, 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


11 


as  I  wish  to  write  a  farewell  letter  to  each  of  the  mission- 
aries, and  am  Secretary  till  Christmas. 

"  What  times  are  these  !  Let  us  watch  and  live  near 
to  God.    His  people  alone  are  safe  and  happy." 

The  close  of  1830.  was  a  time  of  trouble  throughout 
Europe,  and  the  uneasy  spirit  in  our  own  country,  and 
the  unusual  increase  of  incendiary  fires  in  the  autumn, 
caused  many  gloomy  forebodings.  These  national  dan- 
gers gave  Mr.  Bickersteth  a  deeper  sense  of  his  own  mer- 
cies. "  Our  country,"  he  wrote,  "is  full  of  sin,  and  in  the 
midst  of  plenty  abounds  in  wretchedness.  The  Lord 
spare  us  in  His  great  mercy.  My  own  sins  have  added  to 
the  load  of  national  transgressions.  God  has  bestowed  on 
me  great  mercies,  but  I  have  not  rendered  to  him  accord- 
ingly." He  seems,  indeed,  to  have  experienced,  in  some 
measure,  the  truth  of  his  own  frequent  remark,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  histories  of  Noah,  David,  and  other  servants 
of  God,  that  a  time  of  great  temporal  blessing  is  generally 
one  of  spiritual  temptation,  if  not  of  actual  decline.  His 
journal  bears  witness  of  the  danger,  to  which  he  felt  him- 
self thus  exposed. 

"  December  24.  ...  I  greatly  need  reviving  grace,  none 
more.  There  is  great  danger  of  sinking  into  an  indolent, 
negligent,  literary  course,  full  of  self-indulgence.  O  Lord, 
give  me  large  portions  of  Thy  Spirit.  Teach  me  to  do 
Thy  will.  .  .  . 

"  Never  had  any  one  more  temporal  mercies  than  I  have 
recently  had  showered  upon  me.  .  .  .  My  cup  runneth 
over.  0  may  abounding  gratitude  and  devotedness  to  the 
Lord  be  given  to  me.  Give  me  grace  in  Thine  own  ordi- 
nance. 

"December  31.  .  .  .  The  good  hand  of  God  has  led  me, 
and  I  have  occasion  for  much  thankfulness  to  my  heav- 
enly Father,  though  great  room  for  deep  humiliation  be- 
fore Him  My  soul  is  by  no  means  prospering,  and 

chiefly  from  want  of  diligence  in  the  use  of  means.  I 
enter  not  into  heaven  in  prayer :  how  then  can  my 
mind  be  heavenly?    lam  living  on  past  experience  rather 


12 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


than  on  present  communion.  0  my  God,  revive  Thy 
work!" 

With  the  new  year  he  issued  a  Pastoral  Address  to  his 
parishioners,  and  repeated  it  in  the  three  following  years. 
He  there  set  the  Gospel  plainly  and  simply  before  them, 
exhorted  them  to  a  diligent  use  of  the  means  of  grace, 
warned  them  of  the  besetting  sins  of  the  parish,  and  in- 
vited them  to  come  to  him,  in  private,  with  all  freedom, 
as  their  sincere  friend,  whose  greatest  joy  would  be  to 
promote  their  spiritual  welfare.  The  whole  of  the  ser- 
vices for  the  first  year  rested  entirely  on  himself;  and 
he  entered  on  them  in  the  spirit  of  the  counsel  given  him 
at  this  time  by  his  venerated  friend,  Mr.  Pratt,  who  was 
then  suffering  from  disease.  "  Give  your  spirits,  and 
health,  and  ease,  and  strength  to  God,  my  dear  friend, 
while  God  continues  them  to  you  ;  not  lavishly,  but  vig- 
orously ;  and  then  be  sure  that  He  will  supply,  and  more 
than  supply,  the  want  of  any  or  all  of  these,  should  He 
see  fit  to  suspend  or  withdraw  them." 

The  labors  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  in  his  own  parish,  did 
not  differ,  by  any  striking  feature,  from  those  of  any 
other  faithful  clerg}rman.  He  was  constant  and  affection- 
ate, though,  from  the  pressure  of  public  duties,  less  abun- 
dant than  some  others,  in  his  private  visits ;  but  his 
chief  strength  lay  in  the  ministry  of  the  word.  His  ser- 
mons were  less  adapted  to  arouse  the  careless  by  the 
terrors  of  the  law,  or  to  probe  deeply  the  consciences  of 
men,  than  to  attract  them  by  an  earnest  exhibition  of  the 
love  of  God  in  Christ,  and  to  establish  believers  by  a 
glowing  description  of  their  privileges  and  their  hopes, 
and  of  the  peace  and  joy  to  be  found  in  the  Gospel.  His 
expositions  in  the  school-room  or  in  the  family  were  pe- 
culiarly striking  and  impressive,  from  their  simplicity  of 
style,  and  heartiness  of  tone,  and  their  rich  fullness  of 
Divine  truth.  The  general  character  of  his  teaching  may 
be  described  in  his  own  words,  in  a  Visitation  Sermon, 
which  he  preached  in  June  this  year,  before  the  Bishop 
and  clergy,  and  which  continues  to  this  day  a  most  sea- 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


13 


sonable  lesson  of  ministerial  duty.    The  text  was  2  Tim. 

iv.  i;  2. 

"  A  bold,  prominent,  decisive  line  is  marked  for  us — 
'  Preach  the  word.' 

"  The  Word.  Not  a  mere  code  of  morals,  nor  the  doc- 
trines of  men,  not  a  mere  remedial  law,  nor  heathen  phi- 
losophy, nor  the  infidelity  of  rationalism,  nor  the  blan- 
dishments of  antinomianism,  nor  the  novelties  of  those 
who  are  tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  with  every 
wind  of  doctrine,  nor  the  decrees  of  human  councils,  nor 
the  superstitions  of  Popery.  None  of  these  will  ever  ef- 
fectually reach  and  subdue  the  proud  and  prejudiced  heart 
of  fallen  man.    Preach  the  Word.    .  . 

"  That  word  is  full  of  momentous  truth ;  but  its  chief 
glory  is,  that  it  reveals  a  Savior  suited  to  all  our  wants. 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  whole.  .  .  . 
The  epistles  of  Paul  are  full  of  Christ.  This  blessed 
name  shines  through  every  address,  and  in  every  chapter ; 
may,  you  can  hardly  find  two  periods  together,  in  which 
it  does  not  appear.  It  is  used  for  every  ministerial  ob- 
ject ;  to  teach  truth,  to  refute  error,  to  animate  to  duty, 
to  console  in  distress,  to  pacify  the  conscience,  to  rejoice 
the  heart,  to  enliven  our  hope,  to  increase  our  faith,  to 
inflame  our  love,  and  to  raise  our  affections  to  heaven, 
lie  sets  forth  as  the  scope  of  the  ministry,  to  '  preach  Christ.' 
Jesus  Christ  is  all  his  logic,  and  all  his  rhetoric,  and  the 
soul  of  all  his  discourses." 

The  standard,  which  he  set  before  him  in  his  ministry, 
though  he  often  mourned  in  secret  his  defects  in  attain- 
ing  it,  and  the  motives  which  he  kept  in  view,  appear  at 
the  close  of  the  same  sermon,  by  which  he  desired,  at  the 
entrance  on  his  work,  to  stimulate  his  own  heart,  as  well 
as  to  exhort  and  quicken  his  brethren. 

"The  day  of  judgment  is  one  of  joy  and  triumph  to 
all  God's  children.  How  blessed  and  glorious  will  the 
reception  of  the  faithful  minister  be !  What  tongue  can 
utter,  and  what  heart  imagine,  his  joy  in  meeting  his 
Savior !    When  the  chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  ye  shall 


14 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


receive  a  crown  of  glory,  that  fadeth  not  away.  What 
will  it  be  to  hear  from  His  lips  the  joyful  welcome,  '  Well 
done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thy  Lord."  Methinks  as  he  enters  his  Savior's  joy, 
leading  those  to  whom  his  labors  have  been  blessed,  he 
says,  '  Behold  I,  and  the  children  whom  God  hath  given 
me.'  And  each  of  those  converts  will  testify — 1  Lord 
Jesus,  he  was  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ  to  me.  He 
toiled,  and  labored,  and  persevered,  day  after  day,  in 
seeking  my  salvation.  Long  I  refused  to  obey  Thy  word, 
though  often  touched  by  his  earnest  addresses,  and  fer- 
vent prayers,  and  repeated  conversation  ;  the  world  had 
too  much  hold  on  me,  and  year  after  year  I  neglected  and 
trifled,  or  ridiculed  and  opposed.  But  he  was  not  weary. 
He  knew  that  the  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious,  and 
ceaseth  forever,  and  he  tried  again  and  again :  he  was  full 
of  plans  and  expedients  for  doing  me  good,  till  at  length 
Thy  omnipotent  grace,  0  Jesus,  sent  the  truth  to  my  heart, 
turned  me  from  sin,  and  I  was  everlastingly  saved.'  O 
my  brethren,  may  each  of  us  have  many  such  to  be  our 
joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing,  in  the  presence  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  at  His  coming !  0  glorious  recompense !  0 
surpassing  bliss  and  glory." 

The  influence  acquired  by  fifteen  years'  labor  in  the 
cause  of  missions,  was  too  precious  a  talent,  however,  to 
be  thrown  away.  Mr.  Bickersteth  took  two  journeys  this 
year,  one  in  March,  and  another  in  May,  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society.  His  zeal  soon  involved  him  in  the 
difficulty,  from  which  he  thought  that  he  had  just  escaped, 
but  which  always  attends  it  as  its  shadow,  the  conflict  of 
rival  duties.  He  had  not  yet  the  help  of  a  curate,  and 
notices  on  his  first  return  how  serious  a  thing  it  was  to 
leave  the  parish,  and  that  it  must  not  be  done  without 
manifest  and  urgent  cause.  But  the  urgency  of  the  call 
rather  increased  than  diminished  in  succeeding  years.  The 
harvest-field  was  large,  and  laborers  qualified  like  him- 
self to  awaken  and  sustain  Missionary  zeal,  were  but  few ; 
and  hence,  although  these  journeys  often  involved  a  real 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


15 


self-denial,  and  sacrifice  of  present  comfort,  he  dared  not 
shrink  from  the  work  to  which  he  believed  that  the  prov- 
idence of  God  still  called  him.  He  returned  from  his  long- 
journey  in  May,  feverish  and  overwrought ;  and  the  fre- 
quent recurrence  of  these  labors,  in  later  years,  gradually 
exhausted  his  strength,  and  wore  out  his  vigorous  consti- 
tution. 

His  diary  of  this  year  contains  many  complaints  of 
spiritual  coldness  and  barrenness.  A  comparative  drought 
seems  to  have  rested  on  him,  in  his  inward  and  sensible 
experience  of  the  Divine  love. 

"  October  9,  1831.  My  mind  is  in  a  very  cold,  distracted 
state,  and  my  ways  are  far  too  self-indulgent.  My  privi- 
leges, and  blessings,  and  comforts,  have  led  me,  not  to 
more  devotedness  to  God,  but  to  more  negligence  in  His 
service.  Oh,  I  infinitely  need  the  quickening  Spirit  of 
God  to  rouse  me,  as  well  as  the  atoning  blood  of  Immanuel 
to  cleanse  me. 

"  I  preached  last  Sunday  an  Introductory  Lecture  on 
the  Ten  Commandments.  The  Lord,  in  tender  mercy, 
grant  a  full  blessing. 

"  November  5.  I  feel  in  a  very  cold,  dead,  dull  state,  and 
make  no  adequate  efforts  to  recover  myself  from  it:  and 
yet  every  thing  speaks  loudly  now  to  ministers,  and  all 
others,  to  be  watchful  and  prayerful. 

"  There  have  been  in  the  last  week  great  riots  in  Bris- 
tol, and  immense  loss  of  property.  The  Lord  is  shaking 
these  kingdoms,  and  leading  all  to  see  how  uncertain  every 
thing  here  below  is  ;  but  my  heart  is  most  unimpressible. 
I  feel  the  truth  of  that  hymn — 

"  0  for  a  glance  of  heavenly  day, 
To  take  this  stubborn  stone  away  ; 
And  thaw,  with  beams  of  love  divine, 
This  heart,  this  frozen  heart  of  mine. 

"  The  rocks  can  rend,  the  earth  can  qunke, 
The  seas  can  roar,  the  mountains  shake, 
Of  feeling  all  things  show  some  sign, 
But  this  unfeeling  heart  of  mine." 


16  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  The  sins  that  chiefly  burden  me  are — cold,  negligent, 
and  formal  private  prayer;  not  giving  due  attention  to 
visiting  my  people ;  indolence  and  self-indulgence.  O 
Lord,  bless  Thine  own  ordinances  to  my  soul's  good. 

'■'■December  24.  .  .  .  The  cholera  morbus  has  entered 
the  country,  and  at  Sunderland,  Newcastle,  and  other 
places,  above  two  hundred  have  died.  It  will  probably 
spread,  and  bring  multitudes  to  their  great  account.  0 
my  soul,  art  thou  prepared  ? 

"  O  my  God,  I  have  to  lie  low,  very  low,  before  Thee  ! 
Fair  to  the  eye  of  man,  but,  0  how  vile  in  my  own  eyes, 
and  in  Thine  ?  God  is  forgotten,  even  in  doing  the  things 
of  God,  and  having  the  help  of  God.  While  carried  on  in 
my  duties  by  His  aid,  the  eye  to  His  glory  is  wanting.  .  . 
Hence  I  am  justly  kept  at  a  distance  from  my  Father, 
and  have  seldom  communion  with  Him.  Even  in  retired 
devotion,  I  can  kneel  and  pray,  and  yet  not  have  fellow- 
ship with  the  Father  of  my  spirit. 

"  December  31, 1831.  .  .  When  shall  I  begin  to  breathe 
freely  in  the  Divine  life  !  When  shall  I  rise  to  full  com- 
munion with  God  !  O  Lord,  teach  me  Thy  way,  and  lead 
me  in  a  right  path  ! 

"  It  is  my  anxious  desire — the  Lord  strengthen  that 
desire  which  He  has  given,  and  bring  it  into  life  and  ac- 
tion, to  begin  a  new  course  with  a  new  year.  I  am  but 
half  a  Christian,  but  half  a  minister,  but  half  a  Christian 
husband,  or  a  Christian  father.  I  redeem  not  time,  I  live 
not  in  the  presence  of  God.  I  study  not,  I  pray  not,  I 
visit  not  my  poor,  as  I  should,  or,  as  I  desire,  or,  as  living 
on  the  borders  of  eternity,  I  ought. 

"  O  Lord,  help  me  to  plan,  help  me  to  execute  more  for 
Thee,  than  I  have  yet  done,  or  thought  of  doing.  Open 
doors  of  usefulness  for  me." 

On  Christinas-day,  which  was  the  last  Sunday  in  the 
year,  his  voice  failed  from  the  exhausting  nature  of  the 
public  services,  and  he  was  led  to  see  the  necessity  of  pro- 
curing a  helper  in  the  work  of  the  parish.  He  alludes  to 
this  in  a  letter,  a  few  days  after,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith, 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


17 


from  whom  he  had  received  much  kind  help  in  promoting 
the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  people. 

December  29,  1831. 

My  dear  Friends, 

I  can  not  see  you  going  to  town  at  the  close  of  another  year, 
without  endeavoring  a  little  to  pour  out  the  fullness  of  my  heart, 
for  all  the  kind  assistance  you  have  rendered  to  me,  and  to  my 
ministerial  work.  .  .  .  How  much  I  owe  you  tor  upholding  me  in 
every  effort  for  the  religious  welfare  of  my  parish,  so  that  I  seem  to 
have  room  for  nothing  but  thanksgiving  to  the  Fountain  of  all  good. 

Need  I  be  surprised,  in  the  midst  of  so  many  blessings,  at  the 
memento,  last  Sunday,  of  the  poor  earthen  vessel  ?  I  have  no 
doubt  that  it  was  in  every  way  sent  in  love  ;  to  me,  to  keep  me 
in  my  proper  place,  of  entire  dependence  on  the  Lord  ;  and  to 
you,  my  dear  friends,  in  every  way  to  cease  from  man. 

I  judge  it  right,  however,  to  guard  as  much  as  I  can  against 
the  recurrence  of  such  a  weakness,  which  I  mainly  attribute  to 
lengthened  services,  and  am  therefore  turning  my  attention  seri- 
ously to  finding  a  curate.  I  fear  losing  any  thing  of  that  little 
ministerial  zeal  and  interest  I  may  now  have,  by  devolving  duties 
on  another  ;  but  there  are  so  many  desirable  things,  such  as  cot- 
tage lectures,  a  weekly  meeting  with  the  young  men  on  Sunday 
morning,  and  a  Sunday  evening  meeting  at  Wempstead,  which 
can  only  be  accomplished  by  another  laborer,  that  I  have  nearly 
determined  to  lose  no  time  in  seeking  lor  an  assistant.  .  .  . 

We  are  fast  entering  on  another  year — but  who,  knowing  the 
Lord,  and  knowing  His  word,  and  knowing  the  world,  can  look 
forward  to  it  without  mingled  feelings  ?  Increasingly  do  I  feel — 
all  that  is  in  the  world  is  a  vanity  ;  and  except  to  do  good,  and 
thereby  glorify  God,  and  help  to  save  immortal  beings,  there  is 
nothing  worth  an  anxious  thought.  May  your  varied  talents  be 
all  employed,  just  as  our  God  would  have  them  to  be,  and  as  we 
shall  wish  they  had  been  employed  in  the  last  day. 

For  yourselves  I  shall  not  cease  to  pray,  that  you  may  be  abun- 
dantly rilled  with  the  Divine  Spirit,  that  you  may  ever  have  the 
utmost  singleness  of  eye  in  the  service  of  God,  and  the  most  en- 
tire devotedness  to  Him,  that  you  may  enjoy  most  intimate  com- 
munion with  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  have 
constant  grace  to  confess  your  Savior  before  men.    My  hearty 


18 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


prayers  shall  also  continue  to  be  offered  for  your  three  children, 
that  from  their  childhood  they  may  be  under  the  influence  of  that 
grace  which  God  gives  to  His  children. 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

With  the  new  year  the  progress  of  the  Cholera  became 
more  alarming.  The  novelty  of  the  disease,  its  frightful 
rapidity,  and  its  mysterious  nature,  whieh  seemed  wholly 
to  baffle  the  skill  of  physicians,  conspired  to  produce  a 
deep,  and  almost  panic  terror.  Minds,  which  before  had 
remained  utterly  careless,  were  now  awakened  to  the  fear 
of  death,  and  the  sense  of  a  Divine  judgment.  These 
feelings  were  so  powerful,  that  the  Government  of  the 
day,  even  amid  the  excitement  of  the  Reform  agitation, 
was  compelled  to  yield  to  them  ;  and  though  some  voices 
were  found  in  Parliament,  which  dared  to  speak  of  any 
acknowledgment  of  God's  hand  as  cant  and  hypocrisy,  a 
Fast  was  appointed,  on  March  21st,  to  deprecate  the  anger 
of  the  Almighty,  and  entreat  Him  to  remove  the  pestilence 
from  our  shores. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  was  deeply  thankful  for  this  seasonable 
call  to  humiliation  and  prayer.  He  was  reflecting  how  to 
use  it  for  good,  when  he  received  a  note  in  February, 
from  his  friend,  the  Rev.  R.  G.  Barker,  telling  him  that 
he  had  looked  in  vain  for  such  a  tract  as  he  wished  to 
give  his  parishioners ;  and  ending  with  the  appeal — 
"While  the  unbelieving  and  irreligious  press  is  busily  at 
work  with  its  scoffs  and  sneers  at  the  appointment,  ought 
such  a  pen  as  yours  to  remain  idle  ?"  Mr.  Bickersteth 
responded  to  this  call  with  his  usual  promptness  in  seizing 
special  opportunities.  Just  a  fortnight  from  the  day  when 
he  received  the  note,  we  read  in  his  Journal: — "I  have 
written  a  Tract  on  the  Fast-day,  which  has  already  had  a 
circulation  of  several  thousands.  May  it  please  the  Lord 
to  own  it  for  extensive  good  !  It  was  very  hastily  writ- 
ten, but  He  delights  to  use  weak  means,  that  all  the  glory 
may  be  His." 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


19 


These  desires  and  hopes  were  not  disappointed.  By  the 
close  of  March,  a  hundred  thousand  copies  were  in  circu- 
lation ;  and  probably  half  a  million  of  readers  had  lis- 
tened to  his  simple  and  earnest  appeal,  at  a  moment  when 
they  would  be  more  than  usually  open  to  serious  impres- 
sions. His  tract  was  one  main  help  and  guide  to  the  due 
observance  of  the  day,  in  hundreds,  probably  in  thousands 
of  parishes ;  and  swelled  largely  those  accents  of  united 
confession  and  prayer,  which  obtained  a  gracious  answer, 
and  procured  a  lengthening  of  our  national  tranquillity  for 
so  many  years. 

During  the  same  month  he  engaged  the  services  of  Mr. 
Garwood  as  his  Curate,  now  the  Secretary  of  that  excellent 
and  invaluable  Society,  the  London  City  Mission.  Their 
connection  was  one  of  mutual  comfort  and  blessing.  A 
kindness,  on  the  one  hand,  almost  parental,  was  repaid, 
on  the  other,  by  an  almost  filial  honor  and  esteem. 
Though  Mr.  Bickersteth  sometimes  recoiled,  with  great 
sensitiveness,  from  rude  and  unbecoming  familiarity — the 
only  case  in  which  his  natural  reserve  re-appeared,  no  one 
was  more  free  from  the  assumption  of  superiority,  or  de- 
lighted more  to  unbend  freely  in  his  intercourse  with  his 
younger  brethren.  This  feature  is  seen  in  the  following 
letter  to  Mr.  Garwood,  a  few  weeks  before  he  entered  on 
the  curacy. 

February  13,  1832. 

My  dear  Friend, 

Your  letter  gave  me  sincere  pleasure,  and  the  best  hopes  that 
your  coming  to  us  will  be  a  mutual  comfort  and  benefit.  You 
will  have  a  cordial  welcome  from  all  here,  and  I  shall  rejoice  to 
labor  with  you  as  a  true  yoke-fellow,  in  the  work  which  our  one 
Master  gives  us  to  do  

It  will  be  a  great  joy  to  me  to  help  you  forward,  as  God  shall 
enable  me,  in  the  ministry.  I  am  not  sorry  to  see  you  jealous  of 
any  thing  interfering  with  that  work.  We  have  here  eight  hun- 
dred and  thirty  immortal  souls  to  watch  over,  most  of  them,  I 
fear,  walking  in  the  broad  road  ;  and  we  have  enough  to  employ 
our  constant  prayers  and  labors  for  them,  with  the  more  special 
duty  of  bringing  up  my  children  for  the  service  of  the  Lord  Christ. 


20 


MEMOIR  OP  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


It  is  for  this  united  work,  which  I  find  far  too  much  for  my  single 
efforts,  that  I  rejoice  to  have  the  help  of  a  Christian  brother,  like 
yourself;  and  my  hope  is,  that,  while  with  me,  you  may  not  only 
be  helping  on  this  great  work,  but  maturing  and  ripening  for  such 
further  scenes  of  usefulness  as  it  may  please  our  Lord  hereafter  to 
open  before  you.  Just  in  a  similar  way,  I  found  my  own  labors, 
under  Mr.  Pratt,  help  me  in  those  scenes  to  which  I  have  since 
been  called.  .  .  . 

My  strength  is  not  what  it  was — this  leads  us  often  to  say,  "  We 
wish  that  Mr.  Garwood  was  come."  May  our  Lord  bring  you  to 
us  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  connection,  thus  formed,  lasted  until  September, 
1833,  when  Mr.  Garwood  was  appointed  to  Wheler  Chapel, 
and  thus  succeeded  Mr.  Bickersteth  in  the  first  scene  of 
his  pastoral  labors.  Its  name,  a  few  years  later,  was 
changed  to  St.  Mary's  Church,  Spitalfields,  where  he  has 
exercised  his  ministry  to  the  present  day,  besides  taking 
an  important  part  in  the  London  City  Mission. 

In.  November,  1831,  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  invited  by 
the  Church  Missionary  Society  to  preach  their  Annual 
Sermon.  He  accepted  the  task,  and  prepared  for  it  with 
his  usual  diligence,  by  Collecting  information  from  various 
sources  to  illustrate  and  enforce  the  duty  of  British  Chris- 
tians. His  sense  of  the  great  importance  of  the  occasion 
led  him  to  bestow  much  pains  on  the  sermon,  and  his 
elder  children  can  recollect  his  reading  it  aloud  to  them 
in  private,  more  than  once,  to  discover  any  defects,  and 
be  more  familiar  with  it  in  the  public  delivery.  His  text 
was  Psalm  lxvii.  1,  2 ;  which  he  applied  to  the  British 
nation,  to  the  Church  of  England,  and  to  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society.  He  enlarged  on  the  high  privileges  of 
our  country,  its  providential  opportunities,  and  grievous 
sins;  the  past  revival  of  the  Church,  and  its  remaining 
weakness  and  corruption  ;  the  growth  of  missionary  zeal, 
and  its  scanty  measure,  compared  with  the  immense 
expenditure  on  mere  luxuries  and  sinful  pleasures ;  the 


KEMOYAL  TO  WATTON. 


21 


fearful  wants  and  darkness  of  the  heathen  world,  and  the 
blessings  that  would  flow  to  it  from  an  extensive  re- 
vival of  true  religion  in  our  church  and  nation  ;  with 
the  means  by  which  these  blessings  might  be  secured — 
prayer,  personal  devotedness,  and  their  combined  in- 
fluence on  the  hearts  and  minds  of  others.  His  remarks 
on  this  last  head  received  a  striking  illustration  in  his 
own  history. 

"  You  may  do  something  by  your  own  devotedness,  but 
you  will  do  inexpressibly  more  by  the  Christian  influence 
of  that  devotedness.  Devotedness  is  but  the  first  seed, 
influence  is  the  whole  future  produce.  Look  at  St.  Paul. 
Thousands  may  have  been  the  converts  of  his  personal 
ministry,  but  his  influence  has  extended  to  millions  after 
millions ;  it  has  reached  every  Christian  in  each  suc- 
cessive age,  and  is  boundless  and  lasting  as  eternity. 
.  .  .  We  inquire  not,  have  you  much  or  little  property, 
much  rank,  or  none.  There  is  something  higher,  that 
alone  gives  an  eternally  beneficial  influence,  even  the  con- 
stant daily  working  out  of  devotedness  to  the  Lord,  in  the 
self-denying  exercise  of  every  Christian  grace." 

The  entries  in  his  journal,  in  the  early  part  of  this 
year,  show  the  secret  consciousness  of  temptation,  and  a 
constant  struggle  against  it. 

"  January  15,  1832.  My  mind  has  been  much  exer- 
cised latterly  by  some  of  the  novelties  of  Mr.  Irving  en- 
tering into  my  parish,  and  possessing  two  or  three  of 
whom  I  hoped  the  best.  The  Lord,  in  tender  mercy,  pre- 
serve me  and  mine  from  all  error,  and  guide  us  into  all 
truth,  whatever  be  the  cost.  I  see  no  scriptural  warrant 
for  these  novelties,  and  many  things  that  seem  directly 
against  them  ;  therefore  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  oppose  them, 
with  all  the  wisdom,  and  firmness,  and  love,  that  God  may 
bestow. 

"I  have  very  important  duties  before  me:  the  Church 
Missionary  Sermon,  the  commencement  of  the  "  Chris- 
tian's Family  Library,"  the  Confirmation  in  June,  the  en- 


22 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


gagement  with  a  curate,  and  a  fresh  governess  for  my 
children. 

^February  24;  The  times  are  very  stirring  and  awa- 
kening. The  Cholera  spreads :  above  a  thousand  have 
already  been  carried  off  by  it.  But  the  ungodliness  of  the 
nation,  the  divisions  of  the  Church,  the  heresies  afloat,  the 
worldliness  of  professors,  the  state  of  my  own  heart,  make 
me  tremble.  .  .  . 

"  Blessings  that  ought  to  be  more  fully  realized  :  com- 
munion with  God  in  public  and  private  prayer,  realizing 
more  His  presence,  directly  aiming  to  please  Him  in  all 
things,  a  more  grateful  heart,  looking  for  the  coming  of 
the  Lord  Jesus. 

"March  10.  I  have  to  bless  God  for  the  circulation  of 
the  Tract.  May  the  Lord,  by  this  weak  instrument, 
teach  many  precious  souls.  As  for  myself,  nothing  can 
be  more  weak  and  worthless  than  I  am.  I  can  only  cast 
myself  on  the  merit  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  have  no  other 
plea  but  His  blood,  no  other  covering  but  his  righteous- 
ness. .  .  . 

"  March  19.  Through  mercy  I  am  brought  to  the  close 
of  my  46th  year.  0  that  sovereign  grace  might  reign,  in 
turning  me  from  my  sins,  negligences,  and  infirmities, 
and  leading  me  to  a  new  course  of  devotedness  to  the 
Lord !  .  .  .  My  soul  is  very  barren,  cold,  and  unprofit- 
able. 

"  I  find  alterations  and  improvements  a  great  snare. 
They  take  up  much  precious  time  in  looking  after  them, 
and  shut  out  self-denying  and  important  duties.  Yet 
they  furnish  employment  to  the  poor,  and  they  are  a  re- 
laxation to  my  own  mind.  Lord,  guard  me  from  the 
snares  of  them. 

"  Two  things  I  find  most  difficult — to  keep  up  real  com- 
munion with  God  in  worship,  and  to  visit  patiently  and 
fully  the  poor  in  my  parish.  .  .  .  What  an  unprofitable 
servant  I  am  !  Why  am  I  not  cast  off?  Only  from  in- 
finite mercy.    O  renew  a  right  spirit  in  these  things ! 

"  I  expect  a  Curate  to  join  me  in  my  labors  here,  to- 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


23 


morrow.  0  Lord,  let  it  please  Thee  to  bring  him  here 
for  good  to  me,  to  himself,  to  the  parish,  and  to  my  dear 
boy,  whom  he  is  to  educate.  Give  me  wisdom,  and  love, 
and  fairness,  and  kindness,  and  equity,  in  all  my  deal- 
ings with  him.  Bless  him,  and  make  him  a  blessing  in 
this  place. 

"I  ought,  on  a  birth-day,  and  when  the  pestilence  is 
abroad,  to  look  well  into  my  own  heart,  and  place  myself 
in  the  situation  of  one  on  the  verge  of  eternity.  0  my 
soul,  suppose  thou  wert  this  night  to  enter  the  unseen 
world  of  spirits,  and  to  appear  naked  and  alone  before  thy 
God  !  what  is  thy  readiness  for  thy  Lord  ?  I  can  only 
say,  '  Enter  not  into  judgment  with  Thy  servant,  0  Lord !' 
I  can  only  say,  '  In  the  Lord  is  my  righteousness  and 
strength.' 

"  Blessed  Jesus,  my  only  hope  is  in  Thee ;  and  I  do 
now  again,  for  time  and  for  eternity,  cast  my  immortal 
spirit  on  Thy  grace  and  salvation,  as  my  only  refuge. 

"  But  0  my  heavenly  Master,  is  it  not  Thy  blessed  of- 
fice to  purify  the  son  of  Levi,  that  they  may  offer  to  Thee 
an  offering  in  righteousness?  Graciously  fulfill  that  office 
in  me.  Thou  knowest  how  poor  and  needy  I  am.  O 
blessed  Jesus,  purify  me  unto  Thyself,  as  one  of  Thy  pe- 
culiar people,  zealous  of  good  works  ! 

"April  1.  I  went  to  London  last  week,  partly  about 
the  Bible  Society.  I  feel  the  way  of  truth  and  peace 
there  to  be  difficult  to  find.  The  Lord  keep  me  from 
error.  . 

"  I  went  one  morning  to  Mr.  Irving's  church,  and  heard 
the  speakers  with  tongues.  It  did  not  appear  to  me  a 
real  work  of  the  Spirit.  I  was  depressed  by  it,  as  a  de- 
lusion on  the  minds  of  eminent  Christians.  The  Lord 
preserve  me  and  His  Church  from  every  thing  contrary  to 
His  mind. 

"  What  I  feel  I  mainly  want  is,  communion  with  my 
God.  Lord,  above  all  givings  give  me  this— never  may  I 
rest,  but  in  Thee !  Thy  favor  is  better  than  life.  Sur- 
rounded with  every  earthly  blessing,  1  want  one  thing 


24 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


above  every  thing  else,  even  the  Giver  of  all  these  His 
gifts,  the  light  of  His  countenance,  and  the  joy  of  His 
presence.  But  O  how  cold  and  dry  and  barren  are  my 
prayers  and  service.  Surely  if  I  may  hope,  none  need 
despair !. 

"  April  29.  On  the  morrow,  if  God  will,  I  preach  the 
Anniversary  Sermon.  A  most  fearful  and  responsible  duty, 
considering  all  its  varied  connections.  0  Lord,  I  am  op- 
pressed, undertake  for  me !  If  Thou  usest  Thy  feeble 
creature,  let  it  be  to  Thy  glory  and  not  for  mine. 

"  My  old  friend,  Daniel  Wilson,  is  this  day  to  be  con- 
secrated Bishop  of  Calcutta.  The  Lord  Himself  anoint 
and  consecrate  him  as  a  chosen  vessel,  to  bear  His  name 
before  the  Gentiles. 

"  May  20.  My  beloved  mother  died  at  Burslem  in 
Staffordshire,  on  the  4th  of  this  month,  aged  seventy- 
nine.  I  attended  her  funeral  at  Liverpool  on  the  10th. 
So  one  generation  passes  away.  She  died  in  the  Lord — ■ 
the  latter  years  of  life,  though  weakened  by  disease, 
being  tranquil  and  peaceful,  spiritual,  devout  and  heav- 
enly— her  mind  always  alive  to  Christ  and  the  things  of 
Christ. 

"  God  carried  me  through  my  duties  in  town  with  much 
mercy.  I  preached  an  hour  and  three  quarters — the  long- 
est sermon  I  ever  preached  in  my  life — but  the  interest 
seemed  to  be  kept  up  in  the  crowded  congregation  to  the 
end. 

"  0  revive  my  soul,  heavenly  Father,  with  Thy  grace, 
for  Thy  Church's  sake,  for  my  people's  sake,  for  Thy 
Name's  sake.  Nothing  do  I  need  so  much  as  quickening 
grace,  to  walk  more  closely  with  God." 

This  year  Mr.  Bickersteth  undertook  a  work  of  much, 
practical  utility,  as  Editor  of  the  Christian's  Family 
Library.  The  object  he  proposed,  in  concert  with  his 
publishers,  was,  to  diffuse  sound  religion  among  the 
middle  classes.  Old  and  valuable  works  of  Divinity  were 
to  be  republished,  and  new  treatises  written,  with  a  large 
proportion  of  religious  biography,  and  the  whole  to  be 


REMOVAL  TO  WATTON. 


25 


presented  in  a  cheap  and  popular  form.  Among  the 
works  first  proposed  were  the  lives  of  Luther,  Brainerd, 
and  Payson,  Flavel's  "  Saint  Indeed,"  Serle's  "  Christian 
Remembrancer,"  and  an  abridged  Martyrology.  The 
series  extended  to  rather  more  than  fifty  volumes,  and 
has  conveyed  to  its  many  readers  a  large  amount  of  solid, 
scriptural  truth,  mingled  with  some  choice  examples  of 
religious  experience.  In  this  work  he  felt  deeply  the  im- 
portance of  a  wise  selection,  and  earnestly  sought  the 
counsel  of  Christian  friends.  In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Budd,  his 
former  pastor,  he  thus  expressed  his  feelings. 

I  venture  to  claim  your  aid  in  this  matter,  because,  if  the  Lord 
spare  me  to  carry  it  on,  it  may  materially  affect  the  tone  of  Di- 
vinity-in  an  extensive  circle.  I  am  truly  anxious,  as  the  Lord 
gives  me  wisdom,  that  any  influence  I  may  have  should  be  wholly 
used  to  advance  His  truth  in  the  present  work.  .  .  .  Now,  just 
tell  me  what  you  would  tell  your  children — what  books  I  should 
exclude — what  books,  in  forming  the  mind  of  those  committed  to 
you,  you  would  give  them  to  read.  I  entreat  you,  my  dear 
friend,  to  help  me  with  your  judgment,  that  our  common  Lord 
and  Master  may  not  have  hurt,  but  help,  by  any  thing  which  I 
do  in  this  matter.  You  can  not  be  too  free  with  me,  because  I 
know  the  love  you  have  to  Him  who  is  dearest  of  all  to  us,  and 
your  love  to  me  in  Him. 

The  correspondence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  at  this  time, 
was  much  occupied  with  another  subject,  of  great  impor- 
tance, and  equal  difficulty,  which  occasioned  a  painful 
division  of  judgment  among  pious  and  thoughtful  men. 
This  was  the  Bible  Society  controversy.  That  noble 
Institution  might  be  said  to  have  been  cradled  in  storms. 
The  simplicity  of  its  object,  and  the  grandeur  of  its  re- 
sults, had  now  secured  it,  for  many  years,  the  general  and 
warm  concurrence  of  Protestant  Christians.  Yet  the  width, 
or  as  others  would  call  it,  the  laxity  of  its  constitution, 
exposed  it  from  the  first  to  serious  dangers,  as  soon  as  any 
question  of  practical  delicacy  arose.  About  the  year  1825, 
the  Apocryphal  controversy  awakened  very  bitter  and 

VOI,.  II.  B 


26 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


angry  feelings,  and  led  to  the  secession  of  most  of  the 
Scotch  auxiliaries.  The  wise  decision,  however,  to  abstain 
in  future  from  circulating,  directly  or  indirectly,  any  copies 
which  contained  the  Apocrypha,  restored  peace  to  the  So- 
ciety, and  regained  the  confidence  of  the  great  body  of  its 
supporters.  Like  an  oak  which  has  lost  some  of  its  leaves 
and  branches  in  a  storm,  it  rooted  itself  more  deeply  than 
ever  in  general  esteem,  and  enlarged  yearly  the  range  of 
its  operations.  But  the  shock,  which  was  now  convulsing 
the  political  world,  was  also  felt  deeply  by  the  religious 
institutions  of  our  land.  A  mere  appeal  to  precedents 
and  results  would  no  longer  suffice,  to  secure  the  full 
sympathy  of  Christian  men.  There  was  a  craving  for 
spiritual  reform,  a  renewed  appeal  to  the  first  principles 
of  Christian  duty,  a  resolution  to  sift  every  human'  insti- 
tution to  its  very  foundations.  The  Bible  Society  again 
became  a  theater  of  conflict.  The  recognition,  as  fellow- 
Christians,  and  Christian  ministers,  of  those  who  held  and 
taught  fundamental  heresy,  and  the  want  of  any  united 
prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing,  were  felt  by  many  excel- 
lent men,  to  be  serious  blots  in  its  constitution,  and  dif- 
ficulties in  the  way  of  their  conscientious  adherence.  A 
motion  was  made,  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  1831,  to  ex- 
clude Socinians  from  the  management,  and  to  open  all 
public  meetings  by  prayer,  and  reading  the  word  of  God. 
This  alteration  was  rejected  by  a  great  majority,  and  a 
formidable  controversy  at  once  arose.  The  extremes  of 
opinion  were  wide  asunder.  Some  denounced  the  pro- 
posed change  as  a  piece  of  factious  bigotry,  and  a  breach 
of  contract,  which  would  be  fatal  to  the  honor  and  exist- 
ence of  the  Society.  Others,  again,  viewed  it  as  a  plain 
and  absolute  law  of  Christian  dut}^  which  no  fancied  ex- 
pediency could  set  aside,  so  that  its  rejection  would  brand 
the  Society  with  the  guilt  of  bearing  false  witness  against 
Christ,  and  render  secession  and  active  opposition  inevita- 
ble. One  class  seemed  ready  to  maintain  that  the  excel- 
lence of  the  object  rendered  all  inquiry  into  the  lawfulness 
of  the.  means  superfluous;  while  others,  in  their  zeal  for  a 


BIBLE  SOCIETY  CONTROVERSY. 


27 


hardly  attainable  perfection  in  the  means  employed,  were 
in  danger  of  sacrificing,  without  scruple,  the  great  object 
itself,  and  of  breaking  in  pieces  the  most  powerful  and 
effectual  instrument  which  the  world  had  ever  witnessed, 
for  the  diffusion  of  those  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  the 
chief  light  and  blessing  of  our  fallen  world. 

There  were  many,  however,  on  both  sides  of  this  pain- 
ful controversy,  who  took  a  middle  and  more  temperate 
course.  Some  of  them  thought  any  change  unnecessary, 
and  in  itself  inexpedient,  but  desired,  under  the  altered 
circumstances,  a  partial  concession  to  be  made  to  the  sen- 
sitive consciences  of  many  of  their  brethren.  Others, 
again,  while  they  held  strongly  that  the  actual  constitution 
was,  in  principle,  defective,  believed  that  the  defect  was 
rather  in  theory  than  practice ;  and  while  they  sought  to 
reduce  the  suggested  changes  within  the  narrowest  limits, 
did  not  feel  that  the  continued  rejection  of  them  would 
justify  them  in  creating  a  schism  in  so  noble  a  work,  or 
demand  more  than  a  temperate  and  friendly  protest.  To 
this  last  class  Mr.  Bickersteth  himself  belonged,  and  though 
at  the  time  he  found  himself  in  a  small  minority,  he  lived 
to  see  his  convictions,  on  one  point  at  least,  spread  widely 
among  the  friends  of  the  Society,  until  they  were  echoed 
by  a  large  majority,  at  the  last  Annual  Meeting  he  attend- 
ed, the  year  before  his  death. 

The  controversy,  at  the  time,  was  well  adapted  to  sift 
the  spirits  of  men,  and  to  call  into  exercise  the  graces  of 
Christian  wisdom  and  forbearance.  Intimate  friends  were 
found,  perhaps  for  the  first  time,  opposed  to  each  other. 
The  correspondence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  contains  letters  of 
encouragement  from  one  friend,  of  rebuke  or  deprecation 
from  another ;  complaints,  on  one  side,  that  he  had  gone 
too  far,  and  on  the  other,  that  he  was  not  decided  enough 
in  his  protest  against  the  actual  constitution.  The  differ- 
ence reached  to  his  nearest  and  choicest  friends.  Thus, 
while  Mr.  Bridges  wrote  to  him  in  December,  1831, — 
"  How  remarkable  is  the  continued  identity  of  our  senti- 
ments on  the  Bible  question,  without  mutual  communica- 


28  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


tion :  it  is  literally  seeing  eye  to  eye," — his  aged  friend 
and  predecessor,  Mr.  Pratt,  wrote  a  few  months  later. 
"  Consider,  my  dear  friend,  that  your  paper  will  be  seized 
npon  by  the  weak  and  wicked,  to  run  down  the  noblest 
institution  which  the  world  ever  saw.  You  do  indeed  in- 
cur a  fearful  responsibility.  I  am  truly  anxious  that  you 
should  not,  in  your  advancing  years,  be  betrayed,  under 
what  appears  to  me  an  utterly  erroneous  view,  to  thwart, 
retard,  and  hinder  that  cause  which  your  earlier  years 
were  spent  in  promoting.  I  grieve  at  the  whole  proced- 
ure, but  am  ever  affectionately  yours,  J.  Pratt." 

Again,  while  his  fellow-laborer  and  successor  in  the  Sec- 
retaryship of  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  Mr.  "Wood- 
rooffe,  concurred  fully  in  his  views,  the  lay  Secretary,  Mr. 
Coates,  wrote  to  complain  of  an  intended  protest,  as  a 
wrong  done  to  himself,  in  his  character  as  a  member  of 
the  Bible  Society.  The  lines  of  defense,  as  well  as  the 
grounds  of  objection,  were  various.  Some,  like  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth's  former  pastor,  Mr.  Budd,  justified  the  actual  con- 
stitution, on  the  plea  that  the  circulation  of  the  Bible  was 
a  moral,  and  not  a  religious  work ;  while  others  main- 
tained that  Socinianism  was  virtually  excluded,  by  the 
law  which  prescribed  the  exclusive  adoption  of  the  autho- 
rized version.  When,  in  April,  1832,  a  new  Society 
was  formed,  called  the  "  Trinitarian  Bible  Society," 
fresh  complications  of  opinion  and  practice  arose,  and  it 
became  hard  for  the  wisest  Christian  to  see  his  way 
clearly  amid  the  excitement  of  thought  and  feeling  which 
promised.  A  letter  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  his  valued 
friend  the  Rev.  E.  Elliott,  in  reply  to  a  pamphlet  which 
he  had  forwarded,  will  explain  his  views  on  this  difficult 
controversy. 

March  16,  1832. 

My  dear  Friend, 
I  thank  you,  both  for  your  pamphlet  and  your  letter.  The 
sweet  spirit  of  both  is  just  what  I  expected  from  you.   The  Bible 
Society  controversy  is  to  me  a  most  painful  subject,  and  to  open 


BIBLE  SOCIETY  CONTROVERSY. 


29 


my  mouth  upon  it  is  a  thing  I  shrink  from  ;  because  I  differ  from 
brethren  whom  I  love  most  heartily  in  our  common  Lord. 

There  are  many  things  in  your  speech  which  I  fully  concur  in, 
and  am  aware  of  the  difficulties  of  the  position  in  which  I  and 
a  few  friends  stand,  who  differ  both  from  the  old  and  the  new 
Society. 

I  conceive  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  to  stand  by  itself,  as  the 
great  fundamental  article  of  the  Christian  religion,  running 
through  the  Bible,  but  specially  stamped  upon  every  Christian. 
(Matt,  xxviii.  19). 

I  conceive  the  Socinians  to  be  distinguished  from  all  others,  by 
professedly  denying  this  doctrine,  and  being  therefore  professed 
unbelievers. 

I  consider  that  the  work  of  the  Bible  Society,  in  the  translation 
of  the  Scriptures,  is  one  which  has  to  do  with  the  principles  of 
religion . 

I  consider,  therefore,  a  passage  which  you  have  not  quoted,  but 
which  has  always  been  one  of  my  principal  difficulties — "  Be  not 
unequally  yoked  with  unbelievers," — to  be  my  Master's  direction 
to  avoid  being  yoked  together,  in  drawing  the  same  religious  In- 
stitution, having  to  do  with  the  principles  of  religion. 

I  feel  the  difficulty  the  greater,  as  every  Socinian  minister  is 
entitled  to  be  on  the  Committee,  with  every  Socinian  subscriber 
of  five  guineas  a  year. 

The  very  principle  of  the  Bible  Society  is  a  giving  up  of  the 
main  principle  of  Popery,  and  a  protest  against  open  transgressors 
of  the  laws  of  the  Bible.  But  the  Socinians  avow  the  most  fun- 
damental of  all  errors ;  are  professed  unbelievers  ;  and  yet  are 
in  principle  yoked  with  us  in  a  common  wyork,  in  which  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Gospel  have  in  translations  to  be  determined  upon. 

Yet,  feeling  the  conscientious  difficulties  of  many  as  to  a  test 
and  prayer,  and  turning  much  in  my  mind  how  the  breach  might 
be  healed,  and  the  purity  of  Christian  principle  be  maintained,  it 
has  occurred  to  me  and  other  friends,  that  an  explanatory  con- 
fession of  Christ  might  be  so  worded  as  to  meet  the  views  of  all 
good  men,  and  be  appended  to  the  laws  of  the  present  Society,  in 
words  similar  to  these — "  That  the  Society  feels  itself  called  upon 
to  acknowledge  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  he  the 
one  living  and  true  God,  and  declares  and  avows  this  great  princi- 
ple of  the  Christian  faith  to  be  the  basis  of  its  union  and  labors." 


80  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


With  regard  to  prayer,  the  devout  reading  of  a  suitable  portion 
of  Scripture,  containing  a  prayer,  would  satisfy  me,  and  those 
who  think  with  me. 

You  will  easily  see  that  there  is  a  broad  line  of  distinction 
between  a  voluntary  union,  like  that  of  the  Bible  Society,  and  a 
providential  one,  formed  before  men  had  heard  the  Gospel.  This 
meets  some  of  your  suppositions.  I  can  not  get  over  2  John  10, 
so  easily  as  you  seem  to  do.  The  doctrine  of  Christ,  when  we 
recollect  how  much  St.  John  dwells  on  His  Godhead,  must  em- 
phatically include  that  which  is  its  peculiarity  and  its  glory. 

It  appears  to  me  that  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  has 
now  a  noble  opportunity,  in  the  midst  of  an  ungodly  world,  of 
bearing  testimony  to  this  fundamental  truth  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  true  center  of  union  of  real  Christians.  God  would  be 
honored  by  it,  and  the  conscientious  scruples  of  very  many  be  re- 
moved, and  a  higher  point  of  union  and  blessedness  be  reached, 
than  has  ever  yet  been  attained. 

These  are  my  deliberate  sentiments.  But  I  shrink  from  con- 
troversy as  a  fearful  danger,  and  have  therefore  kept  as  much  as 
possible  in  the  back-ground.  Yet  I  cannot  deny  what,  in  the  best 
exercise  of  my  judgment,  appears  to  me  the  scriptural  path  ;  and 
to  afford  a  basis,  as  broad,  I  think,  as  any  Christian  can  desire, 
for  union  in  this  long-cherished  Society. 

With  these  views,  I  was  sorry,  my  dear  friend,  to  see  your 
pamphlet,  which  justly  exposes  many  mistakes,  but  is  calculated, 
I  fear,  to  put  off,  rather  than  to  accelerate,  the  much-to-be-desired 
reunion  of  the  servants  of  Christ  in  this  great  and  blessed  work. 

I  have  not  left  the  old  Society.  Though  I  think  it  wrong  in 
principle,  I  think  it  has  in  the  main,  in  practice,  not  been  une- 
qually yoked  with  unbelievers ;  but  if  the  practice  is  correct, 
surely  the  principle  may  be  avowed. 

I  have  thus  with  all  frankness,  confessed  my  principles  to  you. 
We  love  and  serve  the  same  Savior,  and  heartily  love  each  other 
in  Him,  our  one  Head. 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  Bicker steth. 

I  must  add  a  few  words,  with  reference  to  those  from  whom  I 
have  differed.  I  have  the  sincerest  love  and  esteem  for  them.  I 
believe  them  to  be  wholly  upright  in  this  matter  before  God.  I 


BIBLE  SOCIETY  CONTROVERSY. 


31 


conceive  it  to  be  very  possible  that  I  may  be  in  error,  in  mistak- 
ing the  sense  of  God's  word  ;  and  nothing  grieves  me  more  than 
that  my  poor  name  should  in  any  way  be  implicated  in  the  mat- 
ter, to  strengthen  any  thing  like  divisions  among  brethren.  I. 
grieve  that  the  new  Society  was  formed  so  precipitately. 

To  the  views  of  this  letter  Mr.  Bickersteth  always  ad- 
hered. He  never  ceased  to  regret  the  seeming  recognition 
of  Socinians  as  Christian  ministers,  by  a  law  of  the  Soci- 
ety, and  the  absence  of  united  prayer  in  its  meetings,  as 
serious  defects  in  its  practice  and  constitution.  But  he 
thought  them  far  outweighed  by  its  real  merits,  by  the 
Christian  tone  which  prevailed  in  its  reports  and  general 
management,  the  vast  importance  of  the  object,  and  the 
clear  tokens  of  the  abundant  blessing  of  God,  which  rested 
on  its  labors.  He  continued,  therefore,  to  give  it  a  zeal- 
ous, practical  support,  as  the  Secretary  of  its  local  Aux- 
iliary. He  also  subscribed,  however,  to  the  Trinitarian 
Society,  that  he  might  show  his  desire  for  a  plainer  con- 
fession of  that  holy  name,  into  which  all  Christians  are 
baptized,  and  his  deep  sense  of  the  duty,  in  such  a  work, 
of  united  and  open  prayer  for  the  blessing  of  God.  "When 
his  views  on  this  point  had  gained  a  partial  acceptance,  the 
year  before  his  death,  his  love  for  the  Society  received  a 
fresh  impulse,  and  some  of  his  last  days  were  employed 
in  a  hearty  and  zealous  advocacy  of  its  claims.  We  re- 
turn to  his  journal : — 

■"  July  15.  To-morrow  I  take  my  young  people  to  the 
confirmation.  I  have  endeavored  diligently  to  instruct 
them  ;  but  some  of  them  seem  to  have  got  little  good. 

"  The  Cholera  has  spread  very  widely  in  the  country, 
and  been  in  the  neighboring  towns  of  Ware  and  Hertford. 
0  that  these  things  may  bring  us  nearer  to  God ! 

"  August  21.  I  go  to-morrow,  the  Lord  willing,  on  a 
long  journey  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  to  Lan- 
cashire, Westmoreland,  Cumberland  and  Norfolk.  I  doubt 
not  it  is  the  Lord's  work,  and  therefore  desire  to  go  wil- 
lingly ;  but  I  have  a  sick  child  seriously  ill  at  home,  and 


32  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


my  mind  shrinks  now  from  the  fatigue  and  anxieties  of 
traveling ;  but  O  my  Father,  let  Thy  will  be  mine !  See- 
ing Thou  hast  redeemed  me  in  Jesus,  I  desire  to  be  wholly 
Thine. 

"  September  30.  By  God's  great  mercy  I  have  been  car- 
ried through  my  long  journey,  and  have  returned  in  peace 
to  my  dwelling :  my  dear  child  is  restored  to  health.  O 
how  good  the  Lord  is !  0  that  His  Spirit  may  work  in 
me,  to  render  grateful  returns  to  Him !  To-morrow,  the 
Lord  willing,  I  go  to  Cambridge,  to  attend  Mr.  Simeon's 
jubilee  of  his  ministry.  Lord!  bless  my  going  out  and 
coming  in,  to  Thy  glory  and  the  good  of  many  1 

"  We  had  fourteen  at  our  clerical  meeting  on  the  25th 
— the  largest  number  that  have  met.  The  Lord  increase 
them  more  and  more. 

"  October  13.  The  privilege  of  attending  Mr.  Simeon's 
jubilee  was  very  great.  He  preached  on  Monday,  Octo- 
ber 1st,  from  1  Peter  i.  12-15.  On  Tuesday  there  met 
in  his  rooms  Mr.  J.  and  Mr.  F.  Cunningham,  Mr.  C. 
Bridges,  Mr.  Nottidge,  Mr.  Carr,  Mr.  Close,  Mr.  Tacy, 
Mr.  Edwards,  Mr.  Hankinson,  Mr.  Carus,  Mr.  Sargeant, 
Archdeacon  Hodson,  Professors  Scholefield  and  Farish, 
Mr.  Clarkson,  Mr.  Marsh,  S.  Wilberforce,  W.  Jowett,  &c. 
Mr.  Sargeant  brought  forward  humiliation,  Mr.  Edwards, 
Isa.  vi.,  Mr.  Hankinson,  thanksgiving,  and  I,  the  spread 
of  the  Gospel.  On  Wednesday  we  discussed  subjects,  the 
coming  of  Christ's  kingdom,  the  prayer  of  faith,  and  re- 
form in  the  Church,  in  which  we  generally  agreed  we 
could  not  intermeddle.  It  was  a  season  much  to  be  re- 
membered. 

"  My  own  soul  does  specially  need  reviving  grace,  and 
quickening  in  prayer.  Many  things  call  me  to  this; — ■ 
changes  in  my  family,  changes  in  the  parish  and  the  long- 
continued  lukewarmness  of  my  soul  in  spiritual  things. 

11 1  have  lately  been  enlarging  my  tract  '  On  Prophecy,' 
with  a  special  reference  to  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom. 
I  have  also  been  preparing  a  new  hymn-book  for  my 
people." 


HIS  HYMN-BOOK. 


33 


The  work,  thus  alluded  to  in  his  journal,  occupied  much 
of  his  time  and  thoughts,  and  has  borne  very  abundant 
fruit  to  the  Church  of  Christ.  On  his  first  removal  to 
Watton,  his  attention  was  soon  drawn  to  the  defective 
state  of  the  church-psalmody.  Of  the  various  hymn-books 
in  use,  there  was  none  which  met  his  own  ideas  of  what 
was  desirable  for  all  the  wants  of  the  Christian  family  and 
congregation.  He  now  set  about  supplying,  if  possible, 
this  want,  which  was  felt  also  by  many  others.  He  pro- 
cured copies  of  a  very  large  number  of  previous  collec- 
tions, and  compared  them  together,  consulted  various 
friends,  digested  a  full  system  of  arrangement,  applied  in 
several  quarters  for  new  hymns,  where  particular  subjects 
were  unoccupied,  and  submitted  the  whole  to  a  very  care- 
ful revision,  that  no  statement,  objectionable  in  point  of 
doctrine,  or  otherwise  offensive,  might  appear.  With  his 
strong  practical  sense,  he  saw  clearly  that  a  hymn-book, 
drawn  up  for  general  use,  stands  on  a  footing  entirely 
distinct  from  a  literary  edition  of  an  author's  work,  where 
the  first  excellence  is  historical  fidelity,  and  that  there 
was  no  good  reason  why  a  beautiful  hymn  should  be 
sacrificed  because  of  some  doctrinal  or  critical  flaw  in  a 
single  verse;  or  why  real  faults  should  be  perpetuated 
and  imposed  on  thousands  of  congregations,  to  secure  the 
integrity  of  a  brief  and  perhaps  hasty  composition,  as  it 
first  came  from  the  author's  pen.  Perhaps  the  principle, 
sound  in  itself,  was  at  first  carried  rather  to  excess  in  its 
application,  and  in  later  editions  his  riper  judgment  dis- 
pensed with  some  of  the  alterations  which  had  originally 
been  made  in  hymns,  already  well  known.  Perhaps, 
also,  the  comparative  absence,  in  his  mind,  of  the  poetical 
element,  with  his  deep  sense  of  the  preciousness  of  gospel 
truth,  obtained  admission  for  a  small  number  of  hymns,  not 
quite  worthy  of  a  place  in  such  a  collection.  But,  with 
these  slight  drawbacks,  his  spiritual  feeling,  practical 
judgment,  and  zealous  diligence,  produced  their  natural 
fruit.  The  "  Christian  Psalmody"  has  since  undergone 
two  successive  enlargements,  without  any  other  material 

B* 


34 


MEMOIR  OF  EI)\VrARI)  BICKERSTETH. 


change,  and  a  sale  up  to  the  present  time,  of  more  than 
150,000  copies,  is  a  sufficient  proof  of  the  high  estimation 
it  has  deservedly  gained.  The  index  was  drawn  up  by 
his  esteemed  and  honored  brother-in-law,  the  late  Rev.  R. 
Mayor,  formerly  a  missionary  in  Ceylon,  whose  ardent 
mind  saw  from  the  first  the  importance  of  the  work,  and 
the  certain  prospect  of  its  wide  circulation.  His  letter,  in 
transmitting  it,  shows  the  warmth  of  his  heart,  and  the  re- 
sult has  proved  the  correctness  of  his  judgment. 

My  dearest  Brother, 
Does  your  patience  still  hold  out,  or  have  you  sent  your 
index  to  press,  without  waiting  for  a  tardy  brother  ?  I  have 
found  it  no  such  easy  matter  to  complete  it,  as  I  anticipated, 
and  completed  it  is  not,  even  after  so  long  delay.  The  truth 
is,  the  treasures  of  the  Watton  Hymn  Book  are  inexhaustible. 
The  more  I  explore  their  contents,  the  more  I  am  astonished 
and  delighted ;  but  as  it  will  not  soon  pass  under  the  public 
eye,  as  it  has  been  day  after  day  revolving  before  mine,  you 
should  have  a  full  index,  to  tell  wayfaring  men  where  some 
of  its  riches  are  concealed.  I  fully  calculate  on  the  Hymn 
Book's  becoming,  in  a  short  time,  quite  a  standard  work.  But 
at  present,  when  good  people  hear  of  "  Bickersteth's  Hymn  Book," 
they  have  hitherto  loved  you  so  much  in  prose,  that  they  can 
not  give  you  credit  for  pleasing  them  with  poetry,  and  they  in- 
quire with  some  degree  of  skepticism — Is  Edward  Bickersteth 
also  among  the  poets  ?  But  when  they  have  searched  for  them- 
selves they  will  find  that  the  making  of  a  good  selection  depends 
on  something  more  intrinsically  valuable  than  an  ear  for  soft 
flowing  language — that  a  spiritual  taste  and  discernment,  a  mind 
to  catch  what  is  grand  in  thought,  are  qualifications  more  needed 
than  a  musical  ear,  or  poetic  genius.  In  time,  therefore,  your 
Hymn  Book  must  circulate,  wherever  truth  is  loved.  ...  I  have 
been  feeding  in  green  pastures,  while  making  the  index.  I  would 
rather  be  the  author  of  the  Watton  Hymn  Book,  than  all  your 
other  publications,  valuable  as  they  are  ;  for  I  trust  that  many 
thousands,  rich  and  poor,  will  be  nourished,  elevated,  comforted, 
and  edified  by  them.  ...  I  would  disregard  the  clamor  of  those 
who  are  waiting  for  the  next  edition,  and  would  take  time  to 


HIS  HYMN-BOOK. 


35 


make  it  perfect.  With  regard  to  the  index,  I  would  add  to  the 
price,  rather  than  have  a  meagre  one.  All  who  care  for  souls 
will  not  be  prevented  from  giving  the  best  book,  because  some 
other  may  be  had  3<7.  cheaper.  There  is  such  a  power  of  moving 
in  the  book  itself,  that  nothing  can  prevent  its  insinuating  itself 
everywhere.  This  is  not  the  solitary  opinion  of  a  sanguine  brother, 
who  forms  hasty  judgments,  but  many  wiser  heads  and  warmer 
hearts  will  confirm  it. 

Yours  ever, 

R.  Mayor. 

That  Mr.  Mayor  was  not  mistaken  in  his  estimate  of 
the  work,  and  its  prospects  of  wide  acceptance,  was  proved, 
not  only  by  its  growing  circulation,  but  by  some  rather 
peculiar  testimonies.  One  of  these  will  be  seen  in  the 
following  extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Wilson. 

My  dear  Friend, 
I  have  been  very  much  interested  with  your  new  Hymn  Book, 
a  copy  of  which  you  sent  me.  And  strange  to  say,  though  I  have 
lately  myself  completed  one  at  the  request  of  our  Bishop,  which  is 
getting  into  great  use,  I  am  much  tempted  to  adopt  yours  in  our 
church  at  Casterton.  Such  are  the  days  of  change  and  incon- 
gruities in  which  we  live  !  But  the  fact  is  this,  we  shall  of 
course  be  able  to  command  the  best  singing  with  our  choir  of 
girls,  and  this  delightful  part  of  public  worship  will  be  cultivated 
as  far  as  possible.  Now  my  Hymn-Book  was  made  as  concise 
and  cheap  as  possible,  at  the  Bishop's  request,  and  it  strikes  me, 
that  for  our  Casterton  purposes,  we  should  compass  a  wider  range  ; 
which,  after  some  patient  investigation,  I  think  your  compilation 
affords  more  than  any  other.  Of  course,  I  have  the  usual  conceit 
of  compilers  of  Hymn-Books,  and  am  far  from  thinking  yours  per- 
fect. Why  ?  for  this  reason,  which  operates  in  all  such  cases,  that 
it  does  not  comprehend  all  my  favorites.  It  does  so,  however,  more 
generally  than  any  other  selection  I  have  examined. 

Mr.  Wilson  then  specifies  four  of  his  missing  favor- 
ites ;  and,  with  Mr.  Bickersteth's  usual  promptness  to  pro- 
fit by  the  friendly  suggestions  of  others,  they  were  all  in- 
serted in  the  next  enlarged  edition. 


36 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


A  still  more  gratifying  testimony  occurs  in  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  his  old  and  valued  friend,  the  Bishop  of 
Calcutta. 

The  Palace,  Oct.  16, 1833. 

My  dearest  Brother, 
At  the  very  time  your  kind  present  of  your  new  Psalm-Book 
arrived,  Mr.  Dealtry*  was  engaged  in  reprinting  the  Psalm-Book 
of  the  Old  Church.  I  looked  over  yours  with  sincere  approbation. 
I  think  it  decidedly  the  most  copious,  practical,  devout,  and  well- 
arranged,  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  The  order  of  the  sub- 
jects, embracing  a  body  of  divinity,  particularly  pleases  me,  and 
I  can  not  but  hope,  will  help  much  the  infant  cause  of  Christian- 
ity among  our  native  converts.  I  sent  down  your  volume  to  Mr. 
Dealtry  and  Mr.  Boys.  They  highly  approved  also  ;  their  book, 
half  prepared,  is  laid  aside,  and  they  beg  you  to  send  500  copies 
as  soon  as  you  can.  Five  hundred  I  also  beg  for  myself.  .  .  . 
What  a  pleasure  it  will  be  to  me  to  see  my  dear  brother  Bicker- 
steth's  Psalm-Book  the  current  work  for  celebrating  the  praises  of 
God  in  this  new  scene.  .  .  .  We  entreat  your  prayers,  and  remain 

Your  most  affectionate, 

Daniel  Calcutta. 

The  journal  for  this  year  closes  with  these  entries  : — 
"  December  24.  I  have  been  preaching  a  course  of  ser- 
mons on  the  advent  of  Christ,  and  have  been  led  to  see 
the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  how  needful  it  is  to  be 
ready.  The  Lord  give  me  grace  to  have  oil  in  my  ves- 
sel with  my  lamp,  vas  well  as  to  all  committed  to  my 
charge. 

"  I  trust  that  I  have  found  preparing  the  Hymn-Book 
profitable  to  my  soul.  It  is  now  going  through  the  press. 
O  Lord,  prosper  this  effort  for  the  good  of  thy  church ! 
O  manifest  thyself  as  a  Purifier  and  Keviver  of  my  soul ! 
0  for  communion  with  Thee,  and  holy  thirstings  after 
Thee! 

"  December  31.  ...  In  looking  back,  how  very  many 
have  been  God's  mercies  in  the  past  year !  It  began  in 
darkness  and  sorrow,  and  it  ends  in  peace.    The  help 

*  Now  the  Bishop  of  Madras. 


HIS  HYMN-BOOK. 


37 


afforded  in  the  Missionary  Sermon  was  very  gracious ; 
and  I  have  been  carried  in  health  and  strength  through 
my  varied  duties.    To  God  be  all  praise  and  glory  ! 

"  As  to  my  soul,  some  things  are  more  bright ;  but 
others  are  still  dark.  0  for  more  real  communion  with 
God  in  private,  in  family  prayer,  and  in  public  worship  ! 
I  think  that  I  enjoy  it  most  at  our  social  meetings ;  but  is 
it  from  excitement,  or  the  work  of  the  Spirit  ?  Jesus  is 
all  my  confidence  and  all  my  boast.  I  can  not  for  a 
moment  rest  anywhere  but  in  Him. 

"  What  I  want  most  is  for  my  soul  to  be  growing  in 
grace,  and  preparing  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  With- 
out this,  what  good  will  any  thing  else  do  me?" 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


INCREASED  ATTENTION  TO  PROPHECY. 
A.  D.  1833—1835. 

At  the  close  of  January,  1833,  Mr.  Bickersteth  wrote  in 
his  Journal :  "  My  mind  has  latterly  been  much  directed 
to  the  coming  of  Christ.  The  signs  of  the  times  are  such 
as  may  well  lead  Christians  to  a  more  serious  and  thought- 
ful consideration  of  that  glorious  event.  0  may  I  be  found 
ready,  when  He  comes,  to  give  up  my  account  with  joy ; 
and  may  I  go  to  dwell  with  Him  forever !  O  Jesus,  help 
me  to  walk  with  Thee,  every  day,  and  every  hour,  and 
then  Thy  coming  will  indeed  be  unmingled  joy  and  bless- 
edness to  me." 

These  words  are  some  of  the  earliest  signs  of  that  change 
in  his  judgment,  on  the  doctrine  of  the  Second  Advent, 
which  gave  a  deeper  tone,  through  all  his  later  years,  to 
his  writings  and  ministry.  When  he  was  first  brought, 
in  his  youth,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel,  he  adopted 
the  view  which  was  then  popular  among  serious  Chris- 
tians ;  and  looked  forward  to  the  gradual  conversion  of 
the  world,  by  the  spread  of  missions,  and  a  larger  blessing 
on  the  ordinary  means  of  grace.  His  occupation,  and  the 
peculiar  character  of  his  mind,  which  was  practical  and 
earnest,  but  not  imaginative,  seemed  likely  to  confirm 
him  in  the  view  he  had  so  early  embraced.  His  whole 
strength,  for  many  years,  had  been  given  to  the  work  of 
missions ;  and  perhaps  no  single  person  had  done  more 
to  awaken  an  interest  in  labors  for  the  heathen  through 
the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.    On  the  other  hand, 


INCREASED  ATTENTION  TO  PROPHECY.  39 

the  excitement  of  the  unknown  tongues,  and  the  dogma- 
tism and  extravagance  often  connected  with  the  study  of 
unfullfiled  prophecy,  would  naturally  repel  a  mind  like 
his  from  all  such  inquiries.  In  a  letter,  a  few  years  ear- 
lier, he  had  mentioned  his  fears  for  the  missionary  cause, 
from  the  eager  attention  given  to  prophetic  discussion. 
Again,  in  May,  1831,  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  Bickersteth  from 
one  of  the  midland  counties  :  "  Things  are  in  a  most  dead 
and  cold  state  here  :  may  the  Lord  revive  His  work !  Dr. 

F  keeps  aloof  from  religious  societies  ;  the  good  men 

are  all  afloat  on  prophesying,  and  the  immediate  work  of 
the  Lord  is  disregarded  for  the  uncertain  future.  These 
things  ought  not  so  to  be.  But  I  think  any  one  who  has 
known  this  place  for  the  last  seven  or  eight  years  might 
have  foreboded  all  we  now  see."  Indeed  his  "  Remarks 
on  the  Prophecies,"  in  their  original  form,  were  chiefly 
designed  to  quiet  the  minds  of  those  Christians,  who  were 
in  danger,  as  he  thought,  of  forsaking  plain  and  immediate 
duties  for  a  path  of  thorny  and  doubtful  speculation. 

The  feeling,  however,  always  predominant  in  his  mind, 
was  a  deep  reverence  for  the  supreme  authority  of  the 
word  of  God.  The  public  events  which  followed  his  re- 
moval to.  Watton,  were  of  an  awakening  and  unusual 
kind.  He  was  naturally  led  to  make  the  inquiry,  Does 
the  word  of  God  enjoin  attention  to  all  prophecy,  whether 
fulfilled  or  unfulfilled?  and,  if  so,  what,  according  to  the 
Scriptures,  are  the  real  prospects  of  the  Church  of 
Christ? 

The  result  of  this  inquiry,  carried  on  for  several  years, 
was  a  decided  change  in  the  outline  of  his  expectations. 
He  became  what  is  popularly,  but  rather  vaguely  called, 
a  Millenarian.  To  speak  more  precisely,  he  was  led  to 
believe  that  the  second  coming  of  Christ  will  precede  the 
Millennium  ;  that  the  first  resurrection  is  literal,  and  that 
Christ  will  establish  a  glorious  kingdom  of  righteousness 
on  earth  at  His  return,  before  the  resurrection  of  the 
wicked,  and  their  final  judgment.  He  believed  that  the 
whole  tenor  of  Scripture  was  opposed  to  the  idea,  which 


40 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


had  latterly  prevailed  in  the  Church,  of  a  fixed  interval 
of  a  thousand  years,  before  the  promised  return  of  Christ. 
But  while  he  thus  renounced  the  opinion,  that  missionary 
agencies  would  secure  the  gradual  conversion  of  the 
world,  he  continued  to  believe  that  they  were  the  plain 
duty,  and  one  of  the  highest  privileges  of  the  Christian ; 
and  he  found  new  motives  for  diligence  in  the  shortness 
of  the  time,  and  prospect  of  a  speedy  recompense  from 
the  Lord  in  the  day  of  His  appearing. 

He  preached  four  sermons  on  the  subject,  in  August, 
1832,  and  published  them  early  in  the  next  year,  with 
the  title  "  Preparedness  for  the  day  of  Christ."  Their 
practical,  earnest  tone,  and  the  confidence  widely  felt  in 
his  sound  judgment,  procured  them  an  attentive  perusal, 
even  from  many  who  had  regarded  the  whole  subject  with 
fear  and  jealousy.  His  correspondence,  from  this  time, 
shows  the  attention  which  was  drawn  to  the  hope  of 
Christ's  coming,  by  these  sermons,  and  by  his  later  pub- 
lications. There  was  no  one  whose  character  and  example 
had  so  wide  an  influence,  in  rescuing  the  study  of  proph- 
ecy, alike  from  the  censure  of  its  opponents,  and  the 
perversions  of  mistaken  friends,  as  a  nursery  of  censori- 
ousness  and  dogmatism,  and  of  crude,  unprofitable  specu- 
lation. The  tone  of  all  his  writings  on  the  subject  was 
practical,  loving,  and  holy.  Without  hiding  his  own 
views  on  secondary  questions,  he  always  kept  before  his 
readers  the  great  things  of  the  gospel,  and  the  simplicity 
of  those  Divine  warnings,  which  were  the  texts  of  these 
first  discourses.  "  Behold!  I  come  as  a  thief — Blessed  is 
he  that  watcheth,  and  keepeth  his  garments !  The  night 
is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand." 

One  effect  of  this  change  was  to  bring  Mr.  Bickersteth 
into  correspondence,  and  personal  intercourse,  with  Mr. 
Cuninghame  of  Lainshaw,  whose  labors,  as  an  expositor, 
are  well  known.  Mr.  C.  had  forwarded  a  copy  of  his 
work  on  the  Apocalypse,  with  a  friendly  note,  and  re- 
ceived an  invitation  to  Watton,  where  he  spent  a  few 
days  in  June,  1833.    The  visit  was  repeated  for  several 


INCREASED  ATTENTION  TO  PROPHECY.  41 


years,  and  made  the  occasion  for  a  gathering  of  clergymen 
and  other  friends,  to  confer  on  the  word  of  prophecy,  and 
to  listen  to  the  statements  which  a  writer  so  zealous  and 
able  might  lay  before  them.  The  mutual  affection  and 
regard  thus  awakened,  continued  to  the  last;  though  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  high  esteem  for  his  aged  friend,  and  sense 
of  obligation  to  his  writings,  was  mingled  with  some  re- 
gret for  the  asperity  of  tone  by  which  they  were  occa- 
sionally disfigured,  and  which  tended  seriously  to  lessen 
their  practical  influence.  In  the  preface  to  a  later  edition 
of  his  sermons,  he  stated  clearly  and  modestly  his  own 
views,  with  his  unchanged  attachment  to  the  great  truths 
of  the  gospel,  which  he  so  long  proclaimed. 

"  Prophetic  truth,  deeply  but  humbly  studied,  does  not 
weaken  our  hold  of  any  saving  doctrine  of  Revelation,  but 
rather  enlarges  the  mind  to  fuller  views  of  Divine  right- 
eousness and  goodness. 

"  The  author  trusts  that  he  holds,  with  greater  simpli- 
city and  firmness  than  ever,  those  holy  truths,  which  it 
has  been  his  endeavor  to  embody  in  his  past  writings 
for  twenty  years, — of  our  fallen  nature  in  Adam,  our 
total  ruin  in  ourselves,  and  the  infinite  love  of  God  in 
the  gift  of  His  Son,  and  the  promise  of  His  Spirit.  He 
desires  to  maintain,  with  increasing  steadfastness,  the  re- 
covery of  God's  people  in,  and  by  Christ ;  their  election 
in  Him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world  ;  their  regen- 
eration by  His  Spirit,  through  His  word ;  their  free  justi- 
fication by  faith  alone ;  their  sanctification  in  the  use  of 
the  means  of  grace,  such  as  hearing  the  word,  prayer,  and 
the  sacraments;  and  the  life  of  faith,  hope,  and  love, 
nourished  and  maintained  by  the  application  of  Divine 
truth  in  God's  ordinances  to  the  heart,  through  the  Spirit. 
He  rejoices  in  the  thought,  that  they  who  are  thus  given 
to  Christ,  are  upheld  by  Divine  power  to  the  end,  shall 
have  victory  over  Satan,  death,  hell,  and  the  grave ;  a 
glorious  resurrection,  acceptance  in  the  judgment  to  come, 
and  final  and  everlasting  felicity,  at  the  coming,  and  in 
the  kingdom,  of  their  Lord  and  Savior.    With  these  views 


42 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


are  ever  to  be  connected,  the  unspeakable  danger  of  neg- 
lecting the  truth,  and  the  certain  and  everlasting  destruc- 
tion of  those  who  "  know  not  God,  and  obey  not  the 
gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"  Eespecting  the  period  of  the  coming  of  our  Lord,  he 
has  been  led  latterly  to  the  conclusion,  that  it  does  not 
follow,  but  precedes  the  Millennium.  But  after  the  mis- 
takes of  so  many  in  ages  past,  the  differences  of  the  most 
diligent  modern  students,  and  the  positive  declaration  of 
our  Lord,  Matt.  xxiv.  36-44,  he  dreads  attempting  to  fix 
the  exact  time.  Heartily  does  he  love  the  many  dear 
brethren  who  hold  the  view  with  which  he  himself  was 
so  long  satisfied ;  nothing  but  his  deliberate  conviction 
of  the  truth  of  the  sentiment  here  avowed,  and  of  its 
vast  importance  at  the  present  era  of  the  Church,  would 
lead  him  to  make  it  known,  and  to  urge  his  fellow  Chris- 
tians to  a  diligent  study  of  the  sacred  records  on  this  sub- 
ject." 

Under  the  influence  of  these  truths,  the  new  year 
opened  with  the  following  reflections  and  resolutions. 

"  January  Qth,  1833.  .  .  .  O  that  all  my  talents  this 
year  may  be  laid  out  for  God.  I  desire  to  have  this  as 
my  motto  for  the  year, — Occupy  till  I  come.  Let  me 
look  backward  and  forward,  then,  for  help  to  do  this. 
My  talents  are  money,  time,  influence,  ability,  the  min- 
istry. 

"  Money.  In  what  is  past,  I  have  not  laid  it  out 
wisely.  Too  much  has  been  spent  on  self,  in  literary  grati- 
fication, and  pleasing  my  family. 

"  In  what  is  to  come,  I  desire  to  think  more  of  the  poor, 
to  be  more  ready  for  cases  of  necessity,  to  count  it  more  a 
privilege  to  give,  and  not  to  procrastinate,  when  there  is 
opportunity. 

"  Time.  I  have  been  very  guilty  here,  in  not  giving 
my  time,  as  I  ought,  to  my  people.  It  has  been  too  much 
spent  in  desultory  study,  and  too  little  in  active  duties. 

"  In  what  is  to  come,  0  Lord,  help  me  to  redeem  time, 
giving  to  each  hour  its  appointed  work,  as  I  believe  that 


NEW  YEAR. 


43 


Thou  wouldest  have  it  occupied ;  and  to  adhere  as  much 
as  may  be  to  a  fixed  plan.  0  preserve  me  from  waste  of 
time ! 

"  Influence.  I  have  but  little  thought  how  I  might, 
by  this,  benefit  others — my  servants — my  children — my 
friends.    It  has  been  a  talent  little  improved  for  God. 

"  In  what  is  to  come,  0  Lord,  help  me  to  be  more  cir- 
cumspect and  diligent,  seeking  to  lay  out  all  my  influence 
to  benefit  the  bodies  and  souls  of  my  fellow-creatures. 

"  Ability.  0  for  more  fidelity  to  all  the  powers  in- 
trusted to  me.  Let  nothing  be  neglected  that  can  glorify 
my  God,  and  benefit  His  church.  0  may  I  be  faithful 
over  what  I  have. 

"  The  Ministry.  Here  I  am  most  guilty.  When  I 
look  at  my  parish,  and  see  how  many  I  have  never  per- 
sonally warned  and  instructed — how  many  are  living  in 
drunkenness  and  ignorance,  I  may  well  mourn  over 
them,  and  over  my  own  unfaithfulness.  May  this  year 
be  distinguished  by  a  new  course  of  labors  for  the  good 
of  the  people.  0  that  my  own  Visitation  Sermon  were 
my  animating  spring,  and  my  daily  practice !  Lord, 
make  me  a  faithful  minister  of  Thy  word !" 

His  monthly  journal  gives  a  brief  outline  of  the  chief 
employments  of  the  year;  though  his  correspondence 
occupied  also  much  of  his  time,  and  embraced  a  large 
variety  of  subjects,  connected  with  the  progress  of  the 
gospel. 

"  February  23d.,  .  .  .  My  family  plans  are  now  on  a 
much  more  comfortable  and  profitable  footing.  I  believe 
we  have  secured  a  truly  valuable  governess  for  our  chil- 
dren, and  they  are  becoming  much  attached  to  her.  I 
have  much  more  constant  daily  prayer  with  my  dear  wife. 
But  I  can  not  say  that  I  have  similar  comfort  in  my  ful- 
fillment of  duties  in  the  parish.  O  Lord !  revive  Thy 
work  in  my  soul,  and  quicken  me  to  holy  diligence  among 
my  people.  .  .  . 

"  March  19th.  ...  I  am  preparing  for  the  press  the 
Sermons  on  '  Preparedness  for  the  Day  of  Christ.' 


44 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  On  Monday  next  I  go  to  town  and  to  Bristol,  to  attend 
the  Church  Missionary  Anniversary  there.  The  Lord 
make  it  a  blessing  to  me,  and  to  many  others.  It  is  al- 
ways a  cross  to  me  to  leave  home. 

"My  health  has  been  more  affected  than  in  previous 
winters,  and  requires  constant  attention.  What  mercies  I 
have  had  in  forty-seven  years  of  almost  unbroken  health  ! 
Well  may  I  be  content  now  with  some  sicknesses,  sent  in 
love. 

"  April  6th.  I  have  been  carried  through  my  journey  in 
comfort,  but  am  not  so  strong  as  I  was  in  bodily  health, 
and  must  expect  more  infirmities,  as  I  advance  in  years. 
My  dear  wife  also  suffers  from  deafness.  May  all  our 
troubles  be  sanctified  !  They  are  infinitely  outweighed  by 
countless  blessings. 

"  My  Hymn-Book  is  now  published — the  blessing  of  the 
Lord  go  with  it. 

"  May  5.  ...  I  have  just  been  spending  the  Anniver- 
sary week  in  London  —  Missionary,  Bible,  Tract,  and 
Jews — and  have  spoken  at  several  of  the  meetings.  The 
Lord  pardon  what  has  been  amiss,  and  accept  all  in  the 
mediation  of  Jesus.  I  hope  the  tone  of  the  meeting  is  im- 
proved. 

"  May  12.  I  have  had  a  gracious  experience  of  God's 
goodness  in  the  past  week.  I  set  off  for  Cambridge  with 
my  two  eldest  children,  their  governess,  and  my  servant. 
We  had  not  gone  three  miles,  when  the  horse  set  off  at 
full  gallop' down  a  hill,  and,  at  a  sharp  turn  at  the  bottom, 
the  carriage  was  overturned,  and  we  were  all  thrown  out ; 
but  though  the  carriage  was  broken  to  pieces,  we  were 
all  preserved,  and  received  no  serious  injury.  God  grant 
that  it  may  be  to  serve  and  praise  our  merciful  Deliv- 
erer ! 

"I  have  since  pleaded  the  cause  of  the  Church  Mission- 
ary Society  at  various  meetings  in  Cambridge,  Stapleford, 
Bedford,  and  Kettering,  and  been  brought  in  peace  to  my 
home  again.    To  God  be  all  the  praise. 

"  July  Hi    I  have  had  several  journeys  for  the  Church. 


LINCOLN. 


45 


Missionary  Society ;  a  fortnight  into  Lincolnshire,  and  to 
Chenies,  &c.    The  Lord  pardon  and  accept.  .  .  . 

"...  I  have  much  reason  to  bless  my  heavenly 
Father  for  the  acceptance  of  my  Hymn-book,  which  has 
already  been  introduced  in  many  churches,  and  is  likely 
to  be  in  many  more.  If  I  can  help  my  Savior's  disciples 
even  with  a  cup  of  cold  water,  I  have  reason  to  be  thank- 
ful." 

A  letter  to  his  eldest  daughter  from  Lincoln,  on  this 
journey,  throws  light  on  the  character  of  his  private  inter- 
course with  his  children. 

Lincoln,  May  28, 1833. 

My  dearest  Child, 

I  think  that  mamma  will  excuse  me  writing  to  our  dear  child 
instead  of  herself,  as  I  wrote  to  her  yesterday.  It  is  only  by 
little  bits  of  time  that  I  can  write  at  all  on  these  journeys,  and  I 
trust  that  my  dear  girl  has  learnt  the  importance  of  the  direction, 
to  redeem  the  time,  that  all  may  be  employed  for  good. 

I  have  had  an  interesting  and,  I  hope,  useful  journey,  and  am 
thankful  that  I  was  made  willing  to  leave  my  dear,  happy  home, 
for  the  sake  of  Christ.  .  .  .  There  is  a  beautiful  Cathedral  in  this 
city,  and  a  little  company  that  love  oui  Saviour,  far  more  beauti- 
ful in  papa's  eyes  than  all  the  beautiful  cathedrals  and  churches 
in  the  world,  and  living  stones  of  a  tempie  far  more  glorious  and 
lasting.  That  is  true  taste,  which  le.-»ds  us  to  love  what  God 
loves,  prize  what  He  prizes,  and  follow  that  which  He  approves. 

I  hope,  my  dear  child,  that  (rod  is  giving  you  this  spirit,  to  set 
your  affection  on  things  above.  To  be  spiritually-minded  is  life 
and  peace  ;  and  in  order  to  this,  we  must  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
abide  in  Him.  He  is  the  only  source  of  spiritual  and  holy  affec- 
tion ;  just  as  the  branch  gets  all  its  sap  and  juice,  its  verdure,  and 
blossom,  and  fruit,  by  its  union  with  the  tree,  we  also  get  all  our 
fruitfulness  by  abiding  in  Christ.  He  is  beyond  compare  more 
important  to  you  than  your  parents,  though  He  teaches  and  helps 
you  by  them.  But  He  will  remain  when  they  are  gone  ;  He  will 
be  our  joy  and  portion  forever.  Y^ur  father  would  now  with  all 
affection  commend  you  to  Him,  a»d  entreat  you  ever  to  live  very 
near  to  Him. 

Your  father  everywhere  meets  with  the  greatest  kindness  and 


46 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


hospitality,  because  he  goes  among  those  who  love  our  Redeemer, 
and  therefore  love  those  who  seek  to  promote  His  cause.  Make 
the  ground  of  your  attachment  to  others,  my  dear  child,  the  love 
they  bear  to  the  Savior  ;  and  never  be  anxious  after  the  friendship 
of  those  who  do  not  care  for  His  glory,  and  His  kingdom.  The 
friends  of  Christ  are  the  best,  the  truest,  and  the  most  beneficial 
friends  to  us. 

I  suppose  that  Lincoln  Cathedral  would  cost  £500,000  to 
build.  Well,  the  Religious  Societies  of  England  are  doing  far 
better  than  if  they  built  such  a  cathedral  every  year,  in  raising 
that  sum  to  scatter  in  every  direction  the  light  of  Divine  truth. 
This  will  do  far  more  for  the  honor  of  God  our  Savior,  and  the 
salvation  of  our  fellow-creatures. 

Your  ever-affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  August  4.  I  have  again  been  journeying,  partly  for 
the  Church  Missionary  Society,  and  partly  for  other  ob- 
jects, to  London,  Cheshunt,  White  Koothing,  and  Acton, 
&c.  Blessed  be  Thy  name,  O  my  Father,  for  the  many 
mercies  of  these  journeys !  O  that  my  heart  were  duly 
alive  to  God,  and  His  kingdom,  and  glory !" 

"  September  1.  I  have  been  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and 
have  enjoyed  many  mercies  with  my  beloved^  brethren 
Sibthorp  and  Woodrooffe,  and  I  hope  have  gained  some 
help  in  .the  Christian  life. 

"  I  wrote  three  letters  to  my  dearest  wife  on  practical 
points  in  which  we  failed,  as  concerned  our  souls,  our 
children,  our  household,  our  parish,  the  Church  of  Christ, 
our  trials,  our  temptations,  our  mercies.  O  that  the  Lord 
may  give  us  grace  to  act  on  the  principles  there  laid  down, — 
the  principles  of  His  blessed  Gospel !" 

One  or  two  extracts  from  these  letters  will  show  the 
principles  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  sought  to  apply  con- 
stantly in  all  the  various  details  of  domestic  life. 

Isle  of  Wight,  August  14-17. 
Every  thing  good  must  begin  with  our  own  souls,  in  an  entire 
surrender  of  our  hearts  to  the  Lord  ;  to  His  will,  His  word,  and 


PRIVATE  DUTIES. 


47 


His  glory,  as  our  highest  interest  and  clearest  duty,  our  richest 
privilege,  our  only  happiness,  and  by  free  grace  the  path  in  which 
we  may  walk,  as  well  as  ought  to  walk. 

Now,  though  fellow-heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life,  we  have 
not  been  adequately  fellow-helpers  on  the  way  to  Zion  ;  by 
neglect  of  conversing  on  spiritual  subjects,  of  reading  the  word, 
and  praying  together.  May  we  have  grace  hereafter  to  walk 
more  closely  with  God  in  these  respects.  We  can  only  be  happy 
in  each  other,  as  both  our  souls  are  wholly  surrendered  to  the 
will  of  Christ. 

Our  children  call  for  much  thought  and  prayer,  not  mainly  as 
regards  their  education  for  this  world,  but  their  education  for 
eternity  ;  ever  remembering  that  to  teach  them  self-denial  is  to 
lay  the  right  foundation  for  their  future  happiness,  and  to  indulge 
them  now  in  self-gratifying  things,  is  the  way  to  make  them  mis- 
erable in  all  their  after-life.  To  be  the  disciple  of  Christ  is  to  be 
truly  happy  for  time  and  for  eternity  ;  and  in  aiming  at  this,  we 
are  the  wisest  and  kindest  parents  to  our  children  ;  and  all  that 
seems  kind  and  considerate,  when  not  according  to  this,  is  really 
in  the  end  unkindness  and  cruelty.  Now  to  be  disciples  of  Christ, 
we  and  they  must  deny  ourselves,  take  up  our  cross  and  follow 
Him.  0  may  we  ever  have  grace  to  bring  up  our  dear  children 
on  these  principles  with  united  heart,  that  they  may  be  a  comfort 
to  us,  a  blessing  to  the  church  and  to  their  country,  and  to  fami- 
lies that  may  spring  from  them  ;  so  that  our  joy  through  eternity 
may  be  greatly  enlarged  by  their  Christian  education.  .  .  .  May 
we  lead  them  early  to  Christ,  lead  them  to  cry  earnestly  to  Him 
for  His  Spirit,  and  show  them  that  there  is  now,  in  this  day  of 
grace,  free,  full,  and  complete  deliverance,  salvation,  life,  and 
glory  for  them.  0  may  our  God  fulfill  His  promise  :  "  I  will  pour 
my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine  offspring," 
&c.  May  you  and  I,  my  love,  plead  those  precious  promises  in 
prayer  for  our  dear  children.  They  are  our  jewels,  if  they  be 
Christ's  jewels.  They  will  be  our  thorns,  if  it  be  not  our  con- 
stant aim  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord.  I  know  you  agree  with  me  in  this,  but  we  need  to  have 
our  minds  stirred  up  by  way  of  remembrance.  .  .  . 

In  our  household,  may  God  ever  give  us  Joshua's  determina- 
tion,— "  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  I 
believe  that  this  has  been  our  aim,  but  it  has  been  feebly  exe- 


48 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


cuted.  It  includes  our  property,  to  be  all  laid  out  as  we  shall 
wish  it  had  been  in  the  day  of  Christ.  Here  I  have  been  guilty 
of  vain  expense  about  books.  ...  It  includes  the  religion  of 
our  servants;  and  here  I  think  I  have  not  duly  attended  to  the 
males,  nor  you  to  the  females,  so  as  to  be  often  speaking  for 
their  spiritual  good.  There  has  not  been  a  neglect  in  the 
family  religious  duties,  except  as  to  their  full  improvement ;  but 
there  has  not  been  that  private  and  personal  application,  which 
is  the  most  efficient  mode  of  making  the  public  means  really 
profitable. 

Our  parish,  however,  is  the  point  in  which  we  have,  I  think, 
most  failed,  and  where  the  failure  is  more  especially  to  be  regret- 
ted, as  it  is  our  primary  duty.  The  want  has  been  of  a  more 
steady  personal  inspection  of  the  poor.  Breaking  through  obsta- 
cles and  difficulties  in  the  way  of  this  is  a  material  part  of  that 
self-denial  to  which  our  Savior  Christ  calls  his  people.  The  root 
of  it  is  a  want  of  lively  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  the  souls  around 
us.  When  we  become  cool  about  our  own  souls,  we  cease  to  be 
anxious  about  the  souls  of  others.  I  fear  there  has  been  some- 
thing of  this  creeping  over  us.  Our  chief  care,  next  to  our  own 
souls  and  our  families,  should  be  our  parish,  where  Christ  has 
placed  us  specially  to  labor  for  Him,  and  to  glorify  His  name.  I 
am  persuaded  much  might  be  done  to  enlarge  the  attendance  on 
the  means  of  grace,  and  to  bring  home  the  Gospel  personally  to 
the  people,  by  far  more  extensive  intercourse  with  them,  such  as 
marks  the  parishes  of  Hayne  and  Bridges.  I  think  that  our  two 
eldest  children  should  now  begin  to  think  of  the  poor,  and  see 
them  with  their  governess  or  parents.  It  is  a  habit  which  they 
should  acquire  early.  As  to  the  temporal  relief  of  our  poor,  I 
believe  that  as  much  is  done  for  them  as  is  in  general  desirable, 
though  perhaps  we  have  not  so  fully  looked  after  them  as  to  be 
competent  to  form  a  judgment  ;  and  much  might  perhaps  be 
done  by  putting  them  on  better  plans  in  their  domestic  economy. 
.  .  .  My  leaving  home  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society  is,  I 
fear,  a  serious  impediment  to  the  due  care  of  the  parish  ;  and  I 
must  aim  rather  at  curtailing  all  absences  from  home.  Yet  this 
leads  to  another  material  point — 

The  Church  of  Christ  at  large  claims  a  most  important 
share  of  attention.  God  has,  in  different  ways,  placed  me  in  a 
leading  and  influential  position  ;  and  the  talent  of  influence  must 


PRIVATE  DUTIES. 


49 


be  used  for  Him,  and  the  good  of  His  Church.  I  desire  grace 
that  I  may  have  wisdom,  disposition,  and  ability  to  glorify  His 
name,  by  devotedness  to  Him  in  this  respect.  Money,  time, 
writing,  speeches,  visits,  all  bear  on  this  point.  It  is  the  highest 
use  of  money  to  lay  it  up  in  Christ's  treasury,  for  the  spiritual 
good  of  our  fellow-creatures.  God  has  so  accepted  my  writings 
that  I  think  it  still  a  duty  to  give  attention  to  them,  if  I  may  in 
any  way  hereby  benefit  His  Church.  As  to  preaching,  speaking, 
and  visiting  out  of  the  parish,  it  requires,  I  am  persuaded,  a  clear 
and  manifest  call  from  our  heavenly  Father,  before  I  let  them  in- 
terfere with  home. 

Now  in  all  these  things,  my  dearest  wife,  I  wish  to  act  simply 
on  the  principles  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and  to  give  to  each  duty 
its  due  share  of  attention.  You  must  help  me  in  this,  by  sacri- 
ficing lesser  desires  and  pleasures,  that  might  interfere  with 
primary  duties,  and  by  praying  that  I  may  have  grace  and 
strength,  amid  all  corruptions  within,  and  all  seductions  from 
without,  steadily  to  walk,  by  the  strength  of  Christ,  in  that  path 
which  will  bring  peace  at  the  last,  and  most  promote  our  Father's 
glory,  and  the  good  of  all  around  us.  Depend  upon  it,  the  more 
I  am  devoted  to  Christ,  and  the  more  you  help  me  in  this,  the 
more  I  shall  be  a  blessing  to  you  and  to  our  family,  and  all  that 
troubles  us  at  any  time  may  be  traced  originally  to  a  neglected 
Christ,  and  a  disobeyed  Grospel. 

....  The  Lord  bless  you,  my  love,  and  enable  us  to  walk 
more  closely  with  Him.    Love  to  all  my  dear  tribe  at  home. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Besides  the  journeys  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  a  variety  of 
public  duties  occupied  him  at  this  time,  and  appear  in  his 
correspondence.  Arrangements  were  made  with  a  friend 
for  re-publishing  select  works  of  Charnock  and  Goodwin. 
A  letter  was  written  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Bible  So- 
ciety, with  minute  suggestions  for  relieving  the  scruples 
of  many  Christians,  by  placing  its  constitution,  more  ex- 
plicitly, on  a  basis  of  religious  faith.  Several  relate  to 
Wheler  Chapel,  where  he  took  much  pains  to  secure  a 
faithful  ministry  in  the  scene  of  his  former  labors.    A  Ser- 

VOL.  II. — c 


50  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


mon,  afterward  published,  was  preached  for  the  District 
Visiting  Society.  His  monthly  journal,  to  the  close  of  the 
year,  relates  chiefly  to  his  private  and  personal  expe- 
rience. 

"  October  6.  The  Lord  has  graciously  strengthened 
me  hitherto  for  my  public  work.  Mr.  Garwood  left  me 
September  2,  and  I  have  since  taken  all  the  duty  myself, 
in  a  good  deal  of  weakness,  having  been  on  a  system  of 
diet  for  the  recovery  of  health.  The  Lord  bless  the 
means ! 

"  My  mind  has  been  much,  and  I  trust  profitably  di- 
rected to  the  subject  of  prophecy;  and  I  gather  increasing 
convictions  of  the  importance  of  being  prepared  for  His 
coming,  who  is  my  only  hope,  Lord,  and  Savior. 

"  I  want  minute  conscientiousness  in  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions. 

"  I  want  parental  wisdom,  watchfulness,  patience,  and 
labor  for  my  children. 

"  I  want  a  realizing  recollectedness  of  Christ's  presence, 
with  hearty  dependence  on  him. 

"  0  how  quickly  is  all  here  fading !  May  my  part,  my 
home,  my  hope,  my  joy,  be"  in  the  heavenly  Jerusalem ; 
and  may  I  never  be  ashamed  of  confessing  my  blessed 
Master  now  before  all  men,  as  the  only  King,  Lord,  and 
Head  of  Heaven  and  earth,  whose  favor  is  better  than  life 
itself." 

"  November  3.  .  .  .  My  conviction  increases  that  Christ's 
coming  is  at  hand,  and  I  pray  that  I  may  confess  His 
truth,  and  myself  be  ready  for  His  return.  Sure  I  am, 
that  I  can  only  stand  in  Him.  His  righteousness  is  my 
only  plea,  His  owning  me  as  a  believer  my  only  hope. 
But  may  I  be,  by  His  grace,  a  wise  and  faithful  servant, 
giving  His  household  their  portion  of  meat  in  due  season. 
O  Lord,  I  cast  myself  on  thee,  to  be  molded  and 
fashioned,  as  a  vessel  meet  for  the  Master's  use.  Oh ! 
out  of  this  lump  of  clay,  by  Thine  almighty  power  and 
all-sufficient  grace,  form  a  vessel  of  mercy  to  Thy 
praise !" 


PRIVATE  DUTIES. 


51 


"  December  1.  I  have  again  been  thrown  out  of  my 
gig,  and  made  lame  by  the  blow  my  foot  received,  and  so 
kept  at  home ;  but  through  mercy  no  other  material  evil 
has  happened  to  me,  nor  to  those  with  me.  0  how  great 
is  the  goodness  of  God,  in  sparing,  preserving,  and  every 
way  using  so  sinful  a  creature  as  I  am  ! 

"  I  have  begun  a  course  of  sermons  on  the  coming  of 
Christ.  The  Lord  bless  it  to  much  good  to  my  dear 
parish  ! 

"  December  24.  My  wound  still  disables  me.  Last 
Sunday  I  got  the  duty  fulfilled  for  me,  but  to-morrow  I 
hope  to  preach.    The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done  ! 

"  December  29.  I  am  still  kept  a  prisoner  in  my  house, 
though,  the  Church  being  at  hand,  I  hope,  the  Lord 
strengthening  me,  to  do  my  public  duty.  ...  0  Lord, 
surely  my  soul  is  more  diseased  than  my  body !  There 
indeed  my  wounds  are  corrupt — my  unbelief,  my  for- 
mality, my  worldly  mind,  my  distance  from  God." 

"January  25,  1834.  My  lameness  still  continues, 
though,  through  mercy,  there  is  now  a  greater  hope  of  my 
recovery. 

"  On  the  morrow  I  hope  to  administer  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, and  myself  to  partake  of  it.  In  what  spirit  ?  Alas  ! 
on  the  very  same  day  I  appear  to  be  in  the  most  opposite 
spirits;  sometimes  almost  raised  to  the  very  height  of 
my  desires,  in  thirsting  after  God,  and  at  other  times 
wholly  dead  and  dull.  I  can  rest  nowhere  but  in  the 
righteousness  of  Immanuel,  and  in  His  rich  and  great 
and  free  promises  to  the  unworthy.  .  . 

"  This  day  my  new  assistant,  Mr.  Greig,  is  to  be  or- 
dained to  the  ministry.  May  he  be  filled  with  the  Spirit, 
and  come  here  to  be  a  blessing  to  me  and  to  many !" 

"  March  19.  God,  in  His  loving-kindness,  has  now  car- 
ried me  through  forty-eight  years  of  my  life ;  in  all  of 
which  I  have  been  a  rich  partaker  of  daily  mercies.  .  . 

"  This  has  been,  in  many  respects,  a  year  of  affliction. 

Three  overturns,  my  E  's  arm  broken,  my  own  knee 

disabling  me  for  eleven  weeks,  my  two  eldest  children's 


52 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


prolonged  illness,  my  wife's  many  bodily  infirmities.  0 
may  they  be  sanctified !  I  need  all,  I  deserve  far  more.  To 
the  Lord  be  praise ! 

"  But  it  has  been  a  year  of  great  loving-kindness.  The 
success  of  my  Hymn-Book,  and  of  1  Preparedness  for  the 
day  of  Christ,'  call  for  warm  gratitude ;  and  some  of  my 
people  have  glorified  God  by  holy  and  happy  deaths. 

"  As  to  what  is  before  me,  though  I  calculate  on  labors 
and  trials,  yet  if  the  Lord  only  give  me  His  soul-quicken- 
ing Spirit  and  nearness  to  Himself,  I  may  gladly  welcome 
every  cross." 

"  March  20,  Easter  Sunday.  My  blessed  Savior's  day 
of  resurrection.  0  raise  my  soul  from  the  death  of  sin, 
from  a  cold,  lukewarm,  careless  profession,  to  a  life  of  ho- 
liness, self-denial,  devotedness,  and  heavenly  love.  When 
shall  it  indeed  be !  "When  shall  my  private  devotions  be 
full  of  earnest,  fervent,  heart-going-forth  prayer  and 
praise  ?  When  shall  my  soul  study  more  prayerfully  and 
feelingly  the  word  of  my  God  !  When  shall  my  public 
worship  be  something  more  than  outside  decency — even 
heart-communion  with  my  God !  When  shall  all  my 
walks,  and  my  rides,  all  my  works,  and  all  my  ways,  be  a 
walking  before  God,  and  living  constantly  with  him ! 
Lord,  here  is  my  desire.    O  bring  it  to  a  good  issue. 

"I  have  every  earthly  comfort  and  blessing,  and  only 
trials  to  remind  me  of  their  transitory  nature.  0  that 
these  earthly  comforts  may  be  sanctified  and  draw  my 
heart  to  God !  Thou  art  able  to  do  this,  0  my  God,  and 
to  give  me  a  large  heart,  like  David's,  for  Thee  and  Thine. 
I  want  a  large,  liberal  heart  for  God,  who  gives  me  all 
things.    Let  me  be  continually  laying  out  for  Thee." 

"  March  27,  1834  I  have  found  the  doctrine  of 

the  personal  coming  of  Christ  before  the  millennium  quick- 
ening and  profitable  to  my  soul ;  and  believing  it  to  be 
Divine  truth,  I  pray  that  I  may  see  it  with  greater  clear- 
ness and  power,  hold  it  more  firmly,  confess  it  more  boldly, 
and  live  in  its  joyful  hope,  as  well  as  in  its  awakening 
and  stirring  influence. 


jews'  society  annual  sermon. 


53 


"  O  for  grace  to  fulfill  self-denying  duties !  Here  no 
expression  suits  me  better  than  that,  1  0  wretched  man 
that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from,  the  body  of  this 
death?' 

"  O  Lord,  direct  me  in  the  disposal  of  time,  talents,  in- 
fluence, property,  and  every  thing  I  am  and  have,  that  all 
may  be  used  for  Thy  glory,  and  so  as  may  give  me  joy 
and  not  sorrow  in  the  day  of  Thine  appearing." 

Early  in  1834  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  requested  by  the 
London  Jews'  Society  to  preach  their  Anniversary  Ser- 
mon. He  gladly  undertook  a  task,  which  was  so  thor- 
oughly in  harmony  with  his  newly  acquired  convictions 
respecting  the  hopes  of  Israel ;  and  alluded  to  the  change 
of  his  feelings  in  the  opening  of  the  discourse.  "En- 
gaged for  many  years,"  he  said,  "  in  the  work  of  promo- 
ting missions  to  the  Gentiles,  my  mind  was  but  little 
directed  toward  the  Jews ;  but  having  since  been  enabled 
to  give  more  consideration  to  the  Divine  testimony  con- 
cerning them,  I  have  increasingly  seen  how  plainly,  in 
these  momentous  times,  our  God  requires  His  people  to 
care  for  Israel,  and  how  great  is  the  blessedness  of  helping 
forward  their  salvation." 

Some  years  before,  he  had  been  on  the  same  platform 
with  Mr.  Simeon  at  a  meeting  of  the  Jews'  Society,  when 
that  venerable  servant  of  Christ  spoke  of  the  object  for 
which  they  were  met,  as  the  most  blessed  among  the 
various  works  of  Christian  benevolence.  Jealous  for  his 
own  Society,  Mr.  Bickersteth  wrote  on  a  slip  of  paper, 
which  he  handed  to  him — "  Six  millions  of  Jews,  and  six 
hundred  millions  of  Gentiles — which  is  the  most  impor- 
tant ?"  Mr.  Simeon  promptly  rejoined  in  the  same  way 
— "But  if  the  conversion  of  the  six,  is  to  be  life  from 
the  dead  to  the  six  hundred  millions — what  then?"  Mr. 
Bickersteth  had  now  learned  to  appreciate  the  force  of 
this  pithy  reasoning  of  his  venerable  friend,  and  to  esti- 
mate the  importance  of  the  Jewish  cause,  not  by  a  mere 
comparison  of  numbers,  but  by  its  prominence  in  the  word 
of  God.    Without  the  least  abatement  in  his  zeal  for  mis- 


54  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


sions  to  the  heathen,  he  now  rivaled  Mr.  Simeon  himself 
in  the  special  and  deep  interest  he  felt  for  the  conversion 
of  Israel ;  and  his  missionary  journeys,  from  this  time, 
were  shared  very  much  between  the  two  Societies.  His 
text,  on  this  occasion,  was  Isa.  lxii.  10-12,  and  was  made 
the  basis  of  a  powerful  appeal  on  behalf  of  Israel, 
which  will  be  found  in  his  volume  on  the  Restoration  of 
the  Jews. 

Soon  after  the  Jewish  Sermon,  Mr.  Bickersteth  took  two 
journeys,  into  Yorkshire  and  Buckinghamshire,  for  the 
Church  Missionary  Society.  On  his  return  he  was  called 
to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  for  his  beloved  sister-in-law, 
Mrs.  Thomas  Bignold,  who,  after  a  lingering  illness,  slept 
peacefully  in  Jesus.  The  text  was  1  Thess.  iv.  13,  14, 
and  the  title  which  he  gave  it,  "  Comfort  in  Sorrow."  It 
is  eminently  marked  by  that  glowing,  earnest  tone,  which 
made  his  sermons,  without  any  special  graces  of  delivery, 
or  ornaments  of  style,  so  refreshing  to  every  pious  hearer, 
and  so  widely  useful  in  their  published  form.  He  thus  al- 
ludes to  her  death  in  his  own  journal. 

"July  23,  1834.  I  this  morning  committed  to  the 
silent  tomb  in  Watton  church,  the  remains  of  my  beloved 
sister-in-law,  Priscilla  Bignold.  I  have  for  thirteen  months 
attended  her  as  her  pastor,  and  seen  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit 
beautifully  growing  and  ripening,  till  quite  matured  for 
her  Master.  The  last  time  I  visited  her,  she  said  to  me, 
'  Now  that  we  are  quite  alone,  I  wish  to  have  your  sin- 
cere opinion  of  my  state,  whether  you  think  me  right  be- 
fore God.'  I  told  her  I  did  believe  from  my  heart,  her 
works  of  faith  remarkably  proved  that  hers  was  a  living 
faith,  leading  her  to  renounce  all  hope  but  in  Christ,  and 
filling  her  with  love  to  Him  and  His.  She  replied,  '  I 
know  it  is  so,  not  only  because  you  say  it,  but  because  I 
feel  the  same  things  in  my  heart.' " 

In  August  the  health  of  his  family  rendered  a  visit  to 
the  sea-side  desirable,  and  he  removed  with  them  for  a 
month  to  Broadstairs.  These  times  of  seeming  relaxa- 
tion were  not  seldom  among  those  of  his  busiest  activity. 


USEFULNESS  OF  HIS  WORKS. 


55 


His  general  purpose  in  leaving  home,  to  recruit  his 
strength  by  a  season  of  quiet,  could  seldom  hold  out 
against  the  importunity  of  friends  who  sought  and  prized 
his  ministrations,  and  his  own  zeal  to  be  employed  in  his 
Master's  service.  "It  is  better  to  wear  out  than  to  rust 
out,"  was  his  frequent  reply  to  the  affectionate  cautions 
of  his  family.  On  his  return  he  was  journeying  again, 
first  to  Bristol  and  then  to  Cambridge,  for  the  Jews'  Soci- 
ety. A  year  later,  the  Secretary  wrote  to  him  that  the 
impression  of  the  latter  visit  was  still  bearing  fruit,  in  the 
deepened  interest  awakened  in  the  university  for  the  cause 
of  Israel. 

He  had  indeed  many  proofs  that  the  blessing  of  God 
continued  to  rest  both  on  these  journeys  and  on  his  pub- 
lications. In  November  he  received  an  anonymous  letter 
from  a  lady,  who  ascribed  her  conversion  to  God  to  his 
work  on  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  she  had  read  seven 
years  before.  Another,  in  August,  from  Lady  Lucy  Whit- 
more,  is  an  example  of  the  blessing  which  rested  on  his 
ministry,  in  the  thousand  churches  where  he  pleaded  the 
cause  of  missions. 

August  4th,  1834. 

My  dear  Mr.  Bickersteth, 

It  is  so  long  since  I  heard  any  thing  of  you,  and  your  dear 
family,  that  I  must  write,  and  beg  a  few  lines  in  return.  The 
valued  tie  you  so  kindly  proffered  me,  as  godmother  to  your  dear 
boy,  gives  me  courage  to  plead  a  kind  of  privilege,  to  intrude  oc- 
casionally on  your  precious  time. 

Last  November  I  seemed  just  on  the  borders  of  the  eternal 
world.  I  hoped  that  I  was  just  about  to  depart,  and  to  be  with 
Christ.  But  it  was  not  so,  and  here  I  am  still,  a  weak  and  faint- 
ing pilgrim,  and  perhaps  may  be  for  long.  God  knoweth,  and 
may  His  will  more  and  more  be  mine. 

I  returned  the  week  before  last  from  spending  a  few  weeks  at 
Cheltenham,  and  purposed  to  write  immediately,  but  was  taken 
ill.  I  can  not  say  Cheltenham  benefited  my  body,  but  my  soul 
was  sweetly  refreshed,  by  being  permitted  again  to  join  the  con- 
gregation of  God's  people,  and  listen  to  the  words  of  life  

Since  I  heard  you  at  Worcester,  I  think  in  the  year  1820, 1  have 


56 


ME.MOIK  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


never  seemed  so  strengthened  by  the  preaching  of  any  of  God's 
ministers.  You  were  the  instrument  from  whom  (I  speak  not  of 
the  Bible  itself)  I  first  received  deep  and  lasting  comfort.  I  can 
never  forget  it,  and  daily  my  poor  petition  rises,  for  the  Lord's 
blessing  to  descend  on  you,  and  yours.  .  .  .  The  Lord  be 
with  you,  now  and  ever,  prays, 

Your  ever  faithful  and  affectionate  friend, 

Lucy  E.  Gr.  Whitmore. 

A  clergyman  wrote  to  him  in  December,  on  introducing 
Lis  Hymn-Book.  "  Many  thanks  for  your  kind  and  prompt 
attention  to  my  request  for  the  books  of  psalmody,  which 
are  precisely  what  I  could  have  wished.  We  are  very 
much  indebted  to  you  for  so  rich  a  collection,  and  trust 
that  it  may  be  of  vital  use  to  my  congregation  ;  and  not 
only  so,  but  found  refreshing  and  precious,  as  I  know  it 
has  been  in  an  adjoining  parish,  in  the  family  at  home, 
'  the  Church  in  the  house,'  and  in  the  sick  chamber.  So 
that  possibly,  when  your  sheaves  are  bound  up,  some  few 
ears  may  have  been  gathered,  even  from  this  remote  corner 
of  the  harvest-field." 

Another  clergyman,  soon  after,  thus  acknowledged  a 
gift  of  books.  "  We  could  not  have  received  a  more 
delightful  present.  We  love  them  first,  because  of  the 
truth  of  which  they  are  full;  and  next,  because  we  feel 
so  strongly  and  tenderly  knit  in  Christian  love  to  him 
who  penned  them.  I  have  also  long  felt  greatly  interested 
in  your  publications,  remembering,  that  in  my  youth, 
when  the  first  glimmerings  of  spiritual  light  were  arising 
in  my  mind,  when  I  had  no  friend  to  counsel  me  in  divine 
things,  and  no  worthy  supply  of  religious  books,  I  was 
led,  I  know  not  how,  to  purchase  your  '  Treatise  on 
Prayer.'  It  was  the  first  work  that  received  my  serious 
attention,  and  so  deep  was  the  attention  I  paid  it,  that 
the  whole  book  has  been  indelibly  fixed  on  my  mind ; 
and  on  looking  into  it,  almost  every  page  recurs  fresh  to 
my  memory,  even  at  this  time.  I  remember  presenting 
the  prayers  at  the  end,  again,  and  again,  and  again,  in  se- 


USEFULNESS  OF  HIS  WORKS. 


57 


cret  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  have  no  doubt  that  this 
exercise  received  the  divine  blessing." 

At  the  same  time,  another  thus  alluded  to  his  Sermons 
on  the  Advent.  "  I  have  often  wished  I  could  tell  you, 
that  your  Sermons  on  '  the  day  of  Christ,'  were  received 
with  uncommon  pleasure  in  the  neighborhood.  I  think 
forty-seven  copies  passed  through  my  own  hands,  and  a 
neighboring  clergyman  read  the  whole  in  succession  from 
his  pulpit.  Pity  it  is  that  any  thing  should  offend  men's 
minds,  and  induce  a  disregard  of  this  glorious  and  soul- 
animating  subject.  But  the  prejudices  of  many  are  sub- 
siding, and  on  every  side  the  announcement  of  the  Bride- 
groom's approach  is  spreading.  What  is  the  hope  set 
before  us,  if  it  be  not  the  final  triumph  of  the  Lord  and 
His  people?  I  have  been  deeply  interested  in  all  that 
concerns  you,  since  I  heard  and  saw  you  in  the  parish 
Church  of  my  native  place  many  years  ago." 

A  letter  from  his  old  and  honored  friend,  the  Bishop 
of  Calcutta,  in  the  following  spring,  shows  the  influence 
his  works  were  exercising  in  that  distant  part  of  the 
world. 

May  8th,  1835. 

My  dearest  brother  Bickersteth, 
Though  time,  duty,  and  health  forbid,  I  must  and  will  write  a 
line.  I  can  not  expect  the  comfort  of  letters  from  you,  if  I  do 
not  at  least  acknowledge,  though  I  can  not  answer  in  detail,  the 
sweet  endearing  communications  I  receive.  Your  case  of  Psalm- 
Books  arrived  when  I  was  on  my  Visitation  in  the  South.  They 
are  already  in  full  use  in  two  of  our  Calcutta  Churches,  and  I 
have  not  more  than  a  couple  of  hundred  left.  They  are  gener- 
ally approved.  I  have  received  also  the  present  of  your  publica- 
tions, which  are  always  acceptable  to  me,  not  only  for  my  own 
edification,  but  for  the  purpose  of  recommending  them  to  others. 
Books  of  practical  devotion  are  rare  among  us.  Every  help  that 
can  be  obtained  we  need  in  this  country,  where  the  climate  un- 
nerves body  and  soul,  where  the  impossibility  of  intercourse, 
from  a  burning  sun,  for  eight  months  in  the  year,  cuts  one  off 
from  the  communion  of  the  faithful,  and  where  the  exceedingly 
low  tone  of  morals,  in  almost  all  quarters,  is  of  the  most  insinu- 


58 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ating  and  pernicious  character.  It  may  be  truly  said  of  us  : 
"  They  were  mingled  among  the  heathen,  and  learned  their  works." 
Warnings,  therefore,  from  dear  friends  in  Europe, — admonitions, 
comforts,  counsels,  are  of  immense  importance. 

Things  are,  we  hope,  going  on  for  good.  The  religious  hold 
of  Hinduism  is  loosened.  .  .  .  Then  the  Bible  is  marching 
through  the  land,  and  the  patches  of  Missionary  Stations  are 
leavening,  here  and  there,  considerable  numbers.  The  divisions 
of  Christians  and  Christian  Societies  sadly  weaken  the  general 
impulse  of  divine  truth,  just  as  they  do  at  home.  .  .  But  enough, 
God's  will  be  done  !  pray  for  your  affectionate 

Daniel  Calcutta. 

Amid  the  tokens  of  the  extensive  acceptance  of  his  pub- 
lications, Mr.  Bickersteth's  journal,  toward  the  close  of 
1834,  seems  to  betoken  growing  earnestness,  humility,  and 
peace. 

"  September  29ih,  1834.  One  great  use  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  is  in  the  free  and  ingenuous  confession  of  all  our 
sins,  and  a  holy  determination,  formed  in  dependence  on 
the  Lord,  to  go  afresh  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling,  receive 
afresh  the  atonement,  and,  all  jarring  feelings  between  the 
soul  of  God  dispelled,  to  return  to  duty,  refreshed  and 
strengthened,  with  spiritual  joy. 

"Just  as  I  am,  then,  most  sinful  and  most  ungodly,  I 
come  to  Thee,  0  Father  of  mercies,  and  God  of  all  com- 
fort, thirsting  after  that  fountain  of  living  waters  which 
Thou  hast  opened  in  Jesus ;  free  pardon  for  the  most 
guilty,  the  righteousness  of  God  accounted  theirs — the 
Spirit  of  God  imparted  to  them,  the  grace  of  adoption 
bestowed  upon  them,  and  the  gift  of  eternal  life  freely 
given.  O  wonderful  loving-kindness,  provided  in  a  way 
still  more  revealing  its  wonders,  the  sufferings  unto  death 
of  thine  own  Son  ! 

"  And,  O  my  Lord  and  my  God,  strengthen  me  now  to 
break  through  all  evil  of  every  kind.  0  that  my  personal 
conduct  may  be  sober,  my  relative  conduct  righteous,  my 
soul  godly  in  all  my  doings,  words,  and  thoughts,  under 


SERMONS  ON  THE  ADVENT. 


59 


the  conviction  that  I  am  bought  with  a  price,  and  belong 
wholly  to  Thee ! 

"  The  guilt  which  has  most  struck  my  mind  lately  is, 
that  of  neglecting  the  body  of  Christ,  His  church,  those 
for  whom  He  died.  He  would  easily  forgive  personal 
sins ;  but  neglect  of  His  people,  unfaithfulness  to  the 
trust  committed  to  me,  not  to  seek  out  and  feed  those 
whom  He  loves  so  greatly,  is  not  so  easily  pardoned.  A 
mother  can  bear  a  personal  slight,  but  can  not  bear  that  a 
servant  or  teacher  should  neglect  her  children.  O  blessed 
Jesus,  who  has  appointed  me  as  a  monitor  over  Thy  house- 
hold, help  me  to  give  them  meat  in  due  season." 

"  November  29 th.  .  .  .  I  have  been  preparing  enlargements 
of  my  '  Scripture  Help,'  especially  the  chapter  on  '  Proph- 
ecy,' and  the  first  number  of  a  set  of  Tracts  for  my  parish- 
ioners, on  '  Christian  Truth.'    The  Lord  own  it  for  good. 

"  My  mind  has  been  led  very  much  to  a  contemplation 
of  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  with  hearty  desires  that  I  may 
have  the  oil  in  my  vessel,  and  be  ready  for  His  coming. 
The  Lord  quicken  these  desires  in  my  soul,  and  bring 
them  to  a  good  issue,  both  for  myself  and  my  poor  dead 
parish." 

"  December  25th.  I  have  been  preaching  a  course  of  Ser- 
mons on  the  Advent,  on  which  I  beg  the  Lord's  blessing 
for  the  good  of  my  poor  people. 

"  0  how  painful  appears  the  actual  state  of  the  world 
at  large,  of  the  professing  Church,  of  the  spiritual  Church, 
and  above  all,  of  my  own  heart !  When  shall  that  brighter 
day  of  glory  dawn,  in  which  we  shall  be  relieved  from 
the  body  of  sin  and  death ! 

"  I  look  on  the  most  devoted  servants  of  Christ  whom 
I  know.  I  admire  the  grace  of  the  Savior  in  them.  I 
would  sit  at  their  feet  with  joy,  to  learn  their  graces. 
And  yet  I  see  verified  in  them,  '  Every  man  living  at  his 
best  estate  is  altogether  vanity,'  to  a  degree,  that  I  never 
at  one  time  could  have  anticipated. 

"  I  look  at  my  own  heart — it  is  all  full  of  evil.  I  look 
at  my  profession — it  is  all  formality  and  hypocrisy — at 


60 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


least  to  such  an  extent,  that  I  am  shut  up  in  utter  despair 
of  life  by  works.  0  Lord,  deliver  me  from  this  body  of 
sin  and  death !  Lead  me  in  Thy  way,  and  Thy  truth,  for 
Thy  name's  sake.  Give  me  the  liberty  of  Thy  children,  and 
help  me  to  rise,  through  the  outward  form,  into  the  life 
and  power  of  godliness." 

The  public  employments  of  Mr.  B.,  in  1835,  differed 
from  those  of  previous  years,  chiefly  by  their  greater 
abundance.  Early  in  the  year  he  was  occupied  in  enlarg- 
ing his  "Eemarks  on  Prophecy"  so  as  to  embody  his  later 
and  more  deliberate  convictions.  It  was  published  about 
May,  with  the  new  title  "  A  Practical  Guide  to  the  Pro- 
phecies," and  obtained  a  large  and  rapid  sale,  besides  in- 
volving him  in  a  great  variety  of  interesting  private  cor- 
respondence. Four  public  journeys  were  undertaken,  in 
March,  May,  and  August,  for  the  Church  Missionary  So- 
ciety, and  for  the  Jews  in  October.  A  Herts  Auxiliary  to 
the  Jews'  had  been  set  on  foot  by  him  in  the  previous 
Autumn,  and  was  succeeded  this  year  by  a  similar  effort 
for  the  Keligious  Tract  Society.  Before  the  close  of  the 
year,  five  numbers  of  the  "  Cottager's  Guide"  had  also 
been  published,  in  which  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel 
were  unfolded  in  a  very  simple  form,  for  the  sake  of  his 
own  parishioners,  and  of  the  poor  in  general.  His  corres- 
pondence, at  the  same  time,  was  of  a  most  varied  and  ex- 
tensive character.  Among  those,  who  thus  conferred 
with  him,  are  many  well  known  to  the  Christian  public — 
Power  Trench,  the  Archbishop  of  Tuam,  the  Bishops  of 
Lincoln,  Winchester,  Calcutta,  Illinois,  and  Ohio,  Mr. 
Simeon,  Mr.  Bridges,  Mr.  Carus,  Professor  Scholefield, 
Mr.  Biddulph,  Dr.  M'Caul,  Dr.  M'lSTeile,  Archdeacon  P. 
Wilberforce,  Mr.  Brooks,  Mr.  Faber,  Mr.  Cuninghame, 
Dr.  Marsh,  Dr.  Pye  Smith,  Dr.  Wolff,  Mr.  Grimshawe, 
Mr.  Habershon,  Sir  G.  H.  Eose,  Mr.  A.  Gordon,  Lord 
Ashley,  Lord  Wriothesley  Kussell,  Lady  Powerscourt, 
Mrs.  Sherwood,  Charlotte  Elizabeth,  and  other  names 
connected  with  the  public  events,  and  religious  literature 
of  the  day. 


LETTERS  TO  HIS  CHILDREN. 


61 


These  multiplying  public  duties,  did  not  interfere  with 
the  quiet  and  ceaseless  influence  of  parental  love  in  the 
bosom  of  his  own  family.  Toward  the  close  of  1834,  his 
eldest  child  left  home  for  Clinton,  and  the  following  sum- 
mer her  two  sisters  joined  her  at  the  same  school.  Some 
extracts  from  the  letters  written  to  them  during  their  ab 
sence,  will  show  the  Christian  consistency  with  which  his 
principles  were  carried  into  private  life,  while  they  illustrate 
the  constant  pressure  of  his  more  public  engagements. 

December  11th,  1834. 

My  dearest  B  , 

As  Mamma  tells  you  all  the  news  on  the  earth,  I  must  dwell 
on  those  good  tidings  of  the  heavenly  kingdom,  which  God  re- 
veals in  His  word.  .  .  .  The  Lord  keep  your  mind  fixed  on 
that  kingdom.  Remember  "  the  violent  take  it  by  force"  every 
one  that  gains  it  presses  into  it.  You  are  to  seek  it  first; 
and  do  not,  sweetest  love,  let  the  enemy  gain  the  advantage, 
which  he  will  gain,  if  you  are  unwatchful  and  slothful  in 
spiritual  duties,  to  make  you  loiter  in  the  heavenly  race.  Press 
forward  to  the  mark,  in  the  Divine  strength.  Christ  is  near 
to  you  in  spirit,  and  nearer  to  us,  I  believe,  in  His  personal 
coming,  than  many  of  His  people  think.  Be  ready,  love,  for  Him, 
as  your  richest  joy  and  only  full  happiness. 

I  am  glad  your  companions  are  interested  in  such  questions 
as  the  glory  to  be  revealed,  Rev.  xx.  G,  which  I  believe  to 
be  a  literal  description,  in  the  main,  of  what  is  yet  to  take 
place,  and  a  blessing  of  which,  I  pray,  you  and  your  dear 
teachers,  and  all  your  school-fellows  may  richly  partake.  But 
we  must  make  allowance  for  the  holy  and  devoted  men,  who 
think  otherwise,  and  at  whose  feet  I  should  rejoice  to  sit,  to 
listen  to  other  parts  of  divine  truth,  which  God  by  His  Spirit,  has 
revealed  to  them,  as  I  believe  he  has,  by  the  same  Spirit,  revealed 
this  to  me.  So  you  see  we  are  all  to  be  subject,  one  to  another, 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.    Always  your  own  Papa. 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

May,  1886. 

My  dearest  C  , 

And  so  it  pleases  God  still  to  keep  my  dear  child  a  weak, 
sickly,  feeble  creature  !    And  why  ?  because  he  loves  you  not  ? 


62 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


So  the  world  would  think.  But  those  who  know  the  word  of 
God,  and  have  seen  the  ways  of  God,  as  your  parents  and  friends 
do,  say  the  very  reverse — because  He  does  love  you,  and  desires 
to  make  you  His  own  dear  child,  and  to  call  you  to  His  heavenly 
kingdom.  Say  then  to  Him :  "  0  my  loving  Father,  I  leave 
myself  entirely  in  Thy  hands,  to  be  ill,  or  to  he  well,  as  Thou, 
who  art  all  wisdom,  and  all  love,  seest  best.  Only  do  Thou, 
who  gavest  me  Thy  only  Son,  to  be  my  precious  and  complete 
Savior,  give  me  now  Thy  blessed  Spirit,  to  be  my  Guide,  Sancti- 
fier,  and  Comforter,  and  waken  me  to  be,  and  to  do,  all  that  Thou 
wouldst  have  me  to  be,  and  to  do,  for  Jesus'  sake." 

Here  is  a  little  prayer  for  you,  my  child,  which  perhaps  you 
can  soon  get  off,  and  repeat  by  heart,  and  from  the  heart, 
till  your  will,  and  God's  will,  are  wholly  one,  and  then  your 
will  must  be  done,  and  you  must  be  happy,  for  all  our  misery 
flows  from  having  a  different  will  to  God's  will. 

From  your  most  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  February  22,  1835.  Every  thing  in  Providence  and 
Prophecy  calls  me  to  watchfulness,  and  preparedness  for 
the  day  of  Christ.  The  return  of  Sir  R.  Peel  to  power, 
and  his  inability  to  stand,  by  the  first  division  in  the 
house,  and  then,  if  he  fails,  the  apparent  inlet  of  the 
overthrowers  of  our  national  institutions,  may  well  fill 
the  Christian  patriot  with  fears  for  his  country,  and 
these  must  be  greatly  increased  by  the  predictions  of 
God's  word. 

"  Lord,  where  shall  we  look  for  refuge,  for  ourselves, 
our  families,  and  the  Church,  but  unto  Thee? 

"  My  mind  is  much  exercised  in  preparing  a  work  on 
1  Prophecy,'  respecting  the  state  of  the  times.  I  fear  lest 
it  should  hinder  more  immediate  duties.  O  give  me  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  One !  nearness  to  Thyself,  deadness  to 
the  world,  delighting  in  Thee,  my  portion  and  joy !  And 
as  my  way  is  very  humbling  through  my  sinfulness,  so  let 
grace  reign  in  triumphing  over  it. 

"April  18.  Easter.  I  have  been  on  a  journey  to  Bristol 
and  Bath,  and  was  mercifully  carried  through  varied 


MISSIONARY  JOURNEYS. 


63 


duties.  But  iny  heart  is  dead,  my  prayers  cold  and  formal. 
I  have  been  struck  with  that  passage  Jer.  xiii.  33.  What 
is  impossible  with  man,  however,  is  possible  with  God.  I 
feel  that  nothing  but  Divine  power  can  renew  and  revive 
me.    Lord,  work  in  me  to  will  and  to  do ! 

"  I  am  most  grievously  deficient  in  intercessory  prayer. 
Lord,  deliver  me  from  my  hateful  selfishness ! 

"  May  17.  ...  I  perceive,  that  the  whole  life  of  God  in 
my  soul  would  be  speedily  choked,  and  I  should  be  drown- 
ed in  cares,  and  lusts,  and  outward  things,  if  my  Lord 
Jesus,  whom  I  so  little  know  and  love,  were  to  leave  me 
to  myself  for  a  little  time.  Much  reading  may  be  a  great 
hindrance  to  a  godly  life.  O  my  Savior,  impart  Thy 
grace  to  my  soul.  O  my  Father,  draw  me  to  Thy  Son 
Jesus.    0  blessed  Spirit,  come  and  sanctify  my  heart. 

"  July  25.  Since  May,  I  have  published  the  '  Practical 
Guide,'  and  No.  2  of  the  '  Cottager's  Guide,'  and  taken 
thirty -three  young  persons  to  confirmation.  ...  I  must 
mention,  to  the  praise  of  the  Lord's  goodness,  a  Herts 
Tract  Society  has  been  formed  (June  8),  which  I  hope  may 
do  much  good. 

"  I  have  again  been  lamed,  and  am  hindered  from  walk- 
ing. In  all  these  things  the  Lord  speaks.  May  I  hear 
his  voice  and  obey  it. 

11  August  30.  I  have  been  safely  carried  through  jour- 
neys to  Liverpool,  Manchester,  Wigan,  &c,  in  which  many 
hundreds  have  been  collected.    To  the  Lord  be  all  praise. 

"  I  have  come  home  with  a  wearied  body,  and  some- 
what dissipated  in  mind.  Lord,  Thou  knowest  all  my 
poverty,  blindness,  and  vanity.  0  supply  all  my  wants 
out  of  that  fullness  which  is  in  Christ. 

"  /September  26.  Since  my  return  I  have  been  attacked 
with  serious  illness,  but  through  mercy  am  restored. 

"  I  determined,  early  this  month,  in  faith  and  prayer, 
to  send  my  three  eldest  girls  to  Miss  Finch  at  Clifton.  It 
has  been  a  great  sacrifice  of  feeling,  but  the  advantage 
was  too  great  to  be  slighted,  and  I  trust  the  Lord  will 
overrule  all  for  good. 


64 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  As  to  my  own  soul,  I  trust  that  there  are  symptoms 
of  beginning  to  seek  the  Lord  more  earnestly.  The  Lord 
himself  carry  it  forward.  O  that  I  may  walk  more  closely 
with  Him  from  this  time.  ...  O  for  that  character, — 
'  Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfill  the  lusts  of 
the  flesh.  0  for  that  privilege — '  If  ye  through  the 
Spirit  do  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live.' " 

Liverpool,  Aug.  24. 

My  beloved  B. 

A  father's  love  must  express  itself  in  a  few  more  lines  to  his 
dear  child,  at  a  distance. 

I  am  rather  weary  of  traveling ;  hut  it  is  well  to  be  weary  in 
our  good  Master's  work,  and  not  in  our  own.  Everywhere  His 
dear  servants,  for  His  sake,  welcome  me  ;  and  this  is  a  great  joy, 
in  the  midst  of  much  speaking,  preaching,  and  traveling. 

On  Sunday  the  16th,  I  got  £50  for  the  Society,  in  three  ser- 
mons. Last  Sunday  only  £12  ;  and  yet  the  latter  might  he  as 
liberal  and  acceptable  to  God  as  the  former  ;  for  if  there  be  first 
a  willing  mind,  that  is  what  He  regards  !  How  full  of  love  is 
Jesus  !  Honor  Him  by  placing  your  full  confidence  in  His  wis- 
dom and  love. 

The  Lord  bless  you,  and  make  your  return  to  school  eminently 
useful  to  yourself  and  to  others.  Only  think  of  present  duties,  the 
moment's  work.  Our  life  is  given  in  moments,  and  you  shall 
have  joys  for  each. 

September  28. 

My  dearest  B. 

.  .  .  And  so  it  has  pleased  our  Heavenly  Father  at  length  to 
remove  our  beloved  Thirza,  and  take  her  to  His  holy  and  happy 
presence.  How  thankful  we  ought  to  be  that  this  dear  child, 
the  companion  of  your  infancy,  is  taken  from  this  evil  world, 
and  admitted  to  the  glorious  company  above.  ...  So  another 
tie  to  earth  is  broken,  and  another  call  to  seek  the  things  above  is 
given. 

How  precious,  then,  is  the  Savior,  our  sole  ground  of  hope,  our 
only  righteousness,  our  complete  Deliverer.  Christ  the  end  of 
the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one,  not  that  worketh,  but  that 
believeth.  0  how  I  feel  this,  after  all  my  attempts  to  serve  God. 
They  are,  even  to  my  eyes,  such  sins,  instead  of  services — what 


LETTERS  TO  HIS  CHILDREN. 


or, 


must  they  be  to  Him  ?  I  tell  you  this  to  comfort  you,  and  show 
you  that  God's  children  must  place  all  their  trust  in  the  death, 
righteousness,  and  intercession  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Stand  on  this 
rock  ;  the  Lord  himself  fix  you  firmly  upon  it.  .  .  . 

May  our  God  order  all  our  outgoings  and  incomings  to  His 
glory.    We  daily  pray  for  you. 

Your  ever-affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

November  18. 

My  beloved  B. 

.  .  .  You  have,  we  conclude,  left  your  "  Triumph,"  and  re- 
turned, not  to  the  valley  of  humiliation,  but  to  the  school  of  in- 
struction, up  the  hill  of  Difficulty.  Well,  it  is  worth  while  suf- 
fering a  little  now  for  a  future  benefit.  This  is  the  great  lesson 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  to  suffer  now,  in  and  for  well-doing,  and 
then  to  reap  hereafter.  The  Lord  himself  put  this  into  all  our 
hearts.  "  Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfill  the  lusts  of 
the  flesh  ;"  this  is  the  great  secret  of  the  Christian  life. 

When  we  become  cold,  how  can  we  get  warm  ?  when  we  lose 
our  former  love,  how  can  we  recover  it  ?  We  must  go  to  the 
great  fire  of  Divine  love,  which  burns  so  brightly  in  the  gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God.  See  how  God  our  Father  loved  us  before  time 
began,  loved  us  when  enemies,  reconciled  us  to  Himself,  gave  his 
Son,  his  only  Son,  to  die  for  us,  while  we  were  sinful  and  without 
strength  ;  much  more,  now  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved 
by  His  life.  See  how  He  intercedes  for  transgressors.  Mark 
every  thing  that  shows  his  love  in  all  His  dealings  with  His 
people — what  wonderful  lbrbearance  and  long-suffering  He  has 
with  them.  Think  of  His  more  abounding  grace,  even  where 
sin  exceedingly  abounds,  and  how  He  puts  it  twice  within  a  few 
verses,  as  His  very  title — "  God  is  love."  Think,  then,  how  in 
the  constellation  of  His  glories,  Ex.  xxxiv.  6,  7,  forgiving  love  is 
again  and  again  most  prominent,  and  His  justice  all  satisfied  in 
atoning  blood  ;  His  judgment  to  the  third  and  fourth,  but  His 
rnercy  kept  for  thousands  of  generations.  Think  how  He  delights 
in  pardoning  mercy,  Micah  vii.  18,  19,  and  then  pray  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  may  shed  abroad  all  this  love  of  God  in  your  heart; 
show  you  all  its  height,  and  depth,  and  length,  and  effectually 
root  you  and  ground  you  in  this  amazing  love.    0  my  child,  see 


66 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


this  love,  feel  this  love,  let  it  warm  every  corner  of  your  heart. 
He  gave  you  all  else  that  you  value — father,  mother,  brother, 
sisters,  teachers,  friends,  knowledge,  means  of  grace,  Sabbaths, 
temporal,  spiritual,  eternal  blessings.  All  flow  from  His  bound- 
less, never-ceasing,  never-changing  love.  Enter  into  this,  my 
dearest  child,  and  then  the  heart  is  touched,  and  the  tongue 
speaks — "  I  will  go  unto  God,  unto  God  my  exceeding  joy."  "  I 
will  delight  myself  in  God  my  Savior."  His  loving-kindness  is 
better  than  life  itself.  0  that  I  could  more  fully  commend  His 
goodness  to  you,  and  tell  you  better,  not  only  of  the  love  He  has 
already  shown,  but  of  the  glories  which  that  love  is  preparing 
for  His  people,  and  the  return  of  our  Divine  Savior.  Then,  and 
not  till  then,  shall  we  fully  see  Him  as  He  is. 

But  how  is  the  sense  of  love  to  be  maintained  in  the  midst  of 
fagging  lessons  and  mental  exertions  ?  This  is  the  way  in  which 
He  calls  now  for  proofs  of  your  love,  and  these  must  be  rendered 
as  tributes  of  love  to  the  Lord.  I  do  this  lesson,  and  go  through 
this  labor,  because  I  would  show  love  to  Jesus.  Love  delights  in 
sacrifices  and  labors,  and  grows  strong  in  them.  Only  get  the 
Divine  gift  of  love,  by  them,  from  them,  and  in  them,  and  all  shall 
help  you  to  serve  Christ. 

The  Lord  bless  you  all  three,  and  your  dear  friends,  and  all  your 
companions,  prays  Your  own  papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

My  dearest  Children,  December  28. 

...  It  will  soon  be  the  close  of  the  year.  I  will  give  you  all 
a  few  hints. 

Let  the  past  year  show  you — 1 .  What  evil  and  sinful  hearts 
you  have,  in  departing  from  the  Lord.  2.  How  perfectly  unable 
you  are  of  yourselves,  to  help  yourselves.  3.  What  a  long-suffer- 
ing, forbearing,  most  tender,  and  compassionate  Father  you  have. 
4.  How  true  His  word  is,  and  how  infinitely  needful  for  you  His 
glorious  gospel. 

Let  the  next  year  see  you — 1.  Going  to  God,  with  entire  con- 
fidence, through  Jesus  in  His  infinite  love.  Remember,  He  so 
loved  the  world  ;  that  is,  you  should  say,  Me,  a  most  vile  sinner. 
2.  Praying  that  all  unbelief  may  be  taken  out  of  your  heart.  It 
is  a  hateful  sin,  it  wrongs  the  God  of  love,  and  ruins  our  souls.  3. 
Thirsting  to  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  earnestly  pleading 


THE  COTTAGER'S  GUIDE. 


67 


the  promises  of  this  gift.  4.  Rejoicing  in  the  Lord  always — all 
He  is,  all  He  has,  yours,  received  by  faith, 

May  these  little  hints  be  helpful  to  you.  0  how  my  heart 
thirsts  for  your  spiritual  happiness.  I  brought  you  much  this 
morning  before  the  throne  of  grace,  in  earnest  prayer,  that  our 
heavenly  Father  would  have  mercy  on  you,  and  greatly  bless  you 
all.  You,  too,  must  pray  for  me,  for  I  am  like  the  Israelites,  fight- 
ing on  the  plain,  and  ready  to  fail  when  prayer  ceases.  But  our 
High  Priest  is  always  on  the  mount,  and  never  ceases  praying  for  us. 

Your  affectionate  papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  December  24.  I  have  been  writing  Nos.  3,  4,  and  5 
of  the  '  Cottager's  Guide,'  for  my  poor.  The  Lord  bless 
these  means  to  their  good,  for  Jesus'  sake.  Amen." 

This  notice  closes  the  private  journal  for  1835.  In  a 
note,  a  few  days  before,  to  his  children,  he  had  told  them, 
"  As  for  papa,  he  is  busy  as  a  bee  ;  the  winter  is  his  summer 
for  making  honey,  that  is,  books,  and  he  is  getting  through 
as  many  as  he  can.  The  '  Cottager's  Guide,'  No.  3,  on 
Creation,  and  No.  4,  on  Providence,  are  printing,  and  No. 
5,  on  Redemption,  is  being  written.  I  am  also  preparing 
a  selection  from  the  English  Reformers  for  a  new  volume 
of  the  Christian's  Family  Library.  My  subjects  for  Ad- 
vent have  been  2  Pet.  i.  16 ;  ii.  9,  10  ;  iii.  1-7." 

The  character  of  the  little  work  here  mentioned  is  well 
described  in  a  note  from  his  friend,  Dr.  Pye  Smith ;  with 
whom,  amid  a  decided  difference  of  judgment  on  many 
social  and  ecclesiastical  questions,  he  maintained  for  years 
a  friendly  and  very  affectionate  intercourse. 

"  Having  returned  home  last  Friday,  it  was  not  till  this 
morning  that  I  got  to  the  lowest  tier  of  my  letters,  and 
there  I  found  a  No.  II.  of  the  '  Cottager's  Guide,'  sent  by 
your  kind  hand.  I  have  read  perhaps  the  larger  part  of 
it.  With  No.  I.  it  will  be  one  of  my  aids  in  retirement. 
Blessed  be  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  He  has  directed  you  and 
enabled  you  to  labor  in  the  best  and  richest  part  of  the 
field !  How  do  such  stars  shine  above  the  smoke  of  our 
wearisome  controversies !" 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  "TRACTS  FOR  THE  TIMES" — CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEDGE 
SOCIETY — PASTORAL-AID  SOCIETY,  ETC. 

A.  D.  1836—1837. 

The  new  year  found  Mr.  Bickersteth  employed  on  a  work 
which,  even  now,  after  more  than  fifteen  years  have 
passed,  is  perhaps  more  important  and  seasonable  than 
ever.  As  Editor  of  the  "  Christian's  Family  Library,"  he 
had  compiled  a  volume  of  extracts,  called,  "  The  Testi- 
mony of  the  Reformers,"  and  he  seized  the  occasion  thus 
offered,  to  direct  the  minds  of  Christians  to  "  The  Pro- 
gress of  Popery."  His  remarks  on  this  subject,  which 
formed  the  introduction  to  the  volume,  were  published 
separately  as  a  tract,  and  were  felt  to  be  of  such  value, 
that  they  passed  in  a  few  weeks  through  six  editions. 
The  first  publication  of  them  was  in  January  30  ;  and  in 
a  letter  of  February  23  he  notices  that  the  third  edition 
was  already  on  sale.  Hardly  any  of  his  works  produced 
so  deep  a  sensation  at  its  first  appearance,  or  contains,  in 
the  same  compass,  more  important  information,  or  a 
clearer  exhibition  of  gospel  truth.  Recent  events  have 
proved  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  the  alarm  thus 
sounded  in  the  ears  of  a  too  careless  and  lukewarm 
generation,  though  it  awoke,  even  at  the  time,  a  full 
echo  in  the  hearts  of  many  Christians. 

The  Tract  begins  with  a  direct  and  simple  statement 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  After  an  allusion  to  infidelity, 
as  its  most  open,  but  not  its  most  insidious  adversary,  he 
passes  on  to  the  direct  subject  of  his  remarks.    He  no- 


"THE  progress  of  popery." 


69 


tices  briefly  the  progress  of  Popery,  on  the  continent,  in 
North  America,  in  the  British  colonies,  and  lastly  in 
Great  Britain  itself,  where  its  chapels  had  increased 
twenty-fold  within  forty  years,  and  where,  since  the  peace 
of  1815,  half  a  million  of  money  at  least,  remitted  from 
the  continent,  had  been  employed  to  help  its  dissemina- 
tion. He  distinguishes  the  system  from  the  persons  by 
whom  it  is  professed,  among  whom  there  have  been  some 
bright  and  holy  examples  of  devotion,  and  are  still 
"  thousands  of  amiable  and  moral  men,  who  abhor  from 
their  hearts  cruelty  and  tyranny."  The  system  itself  is 
then  denounced,  on  the  evidence  of  extracts  from  the  Ro- 
man Missal,  the  Decrees  of  the  Council  of  Trent,  the 
Trent  Catechism,  and  the  Creed  of  Pope  Pius,  with  an 
especial  reference  to  the  doctrine  of  justification,  in  con- 
trast to  the  merit  of  human  works.  Its  character  is  un- 
folded as  the  Mystery  of  Iniquity,  the  Man  of  Sin,  the 
Antichrist,  and  the  Apocalyptic  Babylon,  with  an  allu- 
sion to  the  grounds  of  separation,  held  by  the  Reformers, 
and  the  cruelties  of  the  Romish  persecutions.  An  in- 
quiry follows  into  the  causes  of  its  progress,  and  the  first 
place  is  assigned  to  "a  great  decay  of  Protestant  prin- 
ciples." Here  he  digressed,  to  touch  on  an  important 
and  delicate  subject,  the  doctrine  taught  in  several  tracts 
of  the  Christian  Knowledge  Society,  wherein,  in  his  judg- 
ment, there  was  a  great  departure  from  the  standard  of 
the  Articles  and  Homilies,  and  from  the  vital  principles 
of  the  Reformation.  Other  causes,  related  closely  to  the 
first,  are  mentioned,  "our  departure 'from  the  Bible,  as 
the  only  standard  of  Divine  truth  ;  the  state  of  many  of 
the  public  journals,  and  the  general  abandonment  of  the 
Reformation  testimony  against  the  Church  of  Rome,  as 
the  Apocalyptic  Babylon."  The  difficulties  of  the  con- 
flict are  next  unfolded,  with  the  helps  for  carrying  it  on, 
and  the  duties  incumbent  on  faithful  Christians  in  the 
presence  of  such  an  enemy.  Among  these  are  specified, 
prayer  and  watchfulness,  entire  devotedness  to  God,  ac- 
quaintance with  Romish  arguments  and  doctrines,  and 


70 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


the  Scriptural  answers ;  confession  of  Christ ;  the  in- 
struction of  the  ignorant ;  attention  to  the  prophecies ; 
and  the  preaching  of  the  everlasting  gospel,  with  its 
warnings  of  Babylon's  approaching  fall.  The  whole  is 
closed  by  several  prayers,  for  the  Irish  Church,  for  in- 
fidels, for  Roman  Catholics,  and  for  grace  to  be  faithful  in 
perilous  times. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  here  gave  expression  to  his  judgment 
on  the  Tracts  for  the  Times,  which  had  now  been  pub- 
lishing for  more  than  two  years,  and  in  which  discerning 
men  saw,  from  the  first,  the  germ  of  all  those  Papal  doc- 
trines, which  have  since  yielded  their  ripe  and  bitter  fruit 
to  our  Church  and  nation. 

"  A  highly  respectable,  learned,  and  devout  class  of 
men  have  risen  up  at  one  of  our  Universities,  the  ten- 
dency of  whose  writings  is  departure  from  Protestantism 
and  a  return  to  Papal  doctrines.  They  publish  '  Tracts 
for  the  Times;'  and  while  they  oppose  the  more  glaring 
part  of  Popery,  the  infallibility  of  the  Pope,  the  worship 
of  images,  transubstantiation,  and  the  like ;  the  very 
principles  of  Popery  are  brought  forward  by  them  ;  un- 
due deference  to  human  authority,  especially  that  of  the 
Fathers,  overvaluing  the  Christian  ministry  and  sacra- 
ments, and  undervaluing  (rejecting?) justification  by  faith. 
With  much  learning  and  study  of  the  Fathers,  with  great 
apparent,  and  doubtless  in  some  cases,  real  devotion,  and  a 
devotedness  ascetic  and  peculiar,  they  seem  to  the  author, 
as  far  as  he  has  seen  and  known  their  course,  to  open  an- 
other door  to  that  land  of  darkness  and  shadow  of  death, 
where  the  Man  of  Sin  reigns." 

This  opinion  on  the  true  character,  and  probable  issue 
of  the  Oxford  Tracts,  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  thus  ex- 
pressed, with  equal  gentleness  and  faithfulness,  fifteen 
years  ago,  has  been  fully  and  painfully  justified  by  later 
events.  Several  of  the  writers  of  these  Tracts,  and  a 
large  number  of  their  enthusiastic  disciples  and  admirers, 
have  already  reached,  in  their  steady  progress,  that  "  land 
of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death,"  to  which  their  steps 


THE  "TRACTS  FOR  THE  TIMES." 


71 


from  the  first,  were  secretly  tending, — the  idolatrous  com- 
munion of  Papal  Rome. 

The  observations  in  the  Tract,  on  the  foolish  unconcern 
of  Protestants,  and  its  probable  consequences,  have  been 
not  less  fully  verified. 

"  The  false  security  in  which  the  Protestant  Church 
has  been  resting,  is  a  most  serious  difficulty,  to  which  we 
are  by  no  means  yet  awake.  The  victories  over  Popery 
at  the  Eeformation  and  the  Revolution,  the  complete  ex- 
posure of  its  idolatry,  and  display  of  it  as  the  Antichrist, 
at  the  Reformation,  and  of  its  contradiction  to  Scripture 
and  to  all  just  reason,  at  the  Revolution,  and  a  century's 
quiet  since,  have  occasioned  this  security.  Our  various 
legislative  protections,  one  after  another,  have  been  re- 
moved, and  still  we  have  not  yet  awakened.  And  on 
what  does  this  fancied  security  rest  ?  On  the  enlightened 
spirit  of  the  age  ?  Surely  we  have  not  yet  to  learn  that 
'  the  world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God.'  On  the  substan- 
tial good  sense  of  the  mass  of  the  nation?  Surely  we 
have  not  forgotten  the  lesson—'  Cease  ye  from  man ;  put 
not  your  trust  in  the  son  of  man,  in  whom  there  is  no 
help.'  But  if  we  think  our  security  rests  on  the  word 
of  God  deposited  with  us,  and  his  people  residing  among 
us,  let  the  history  of  Israel  speak  volumes.  When  were 
there  holier  men  than  when  Jeremiah,  Ezekiel,  Daniel 
lived  ?  Yet  were  the  Jews  carried  captive  to  Babylon. 
When  had  the  Church  a  greater  revival  than  on  the  first 
spread  of  the  gospel  from  Jerusalem  ?  Yet  was  Jerusalem 
destroyed  by  the  Romans,  because,  in  both  cases,  of  the 
abounding  iniquity  of  the  mass  of  the  people. 

"  Our  difficulties  from  Papists  will  most  probably  very 
greatly  increase.  As  the  Papists  increase  they  will  get 
more  political  power,  and  they  are  very  subtile  to  use  it. 
Already  they  very  extensively  hamper  and  restrain  the 
efforts  of  true  Protestants,  and,  where  they  can,  injure 
and  annoy  them.  How  easily,  if  the  Lord  permit,  may 
this  spirit  of  persecution  rise  and  grow,  and  bring  on  all 


72 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


the  sufferings  through  which  the  Church  may  have  to  pass 
in  these  last  days."  .  .  . 

"...  A  conflict  more  arduous  than  the  Church  of 
Christ  has  yet  passed  through,  seems  then  to  be  rapidly 
hastening  on.  Our  advantages  may  hasten  the  last 
struggle.  May  we  remember  that  we  conquer  by  suffer- 
ing. Bad  men's  minds  are  too  excited  by  evil  principles 
on  every  side,  to  rest ;  and  God  forbid  that  there  should 
ever  cease  to  be,  among  good  men,  those  who  will,  at  the 
extremest  hazard,  yea,  at  the  loss  of  fortune,  worldly  rep- 
utation, ease,  and  life  itself,  proclaim  the  only  name  of 
Jesus  to  dying  men,  and  the  vanity  of  every  other  foun- 
dation." 

A  letter  to  Lady  Lucy  "Whitmore,  of  this  date,  exhibits 
the  spirit  in  which  the  Tract  was  composed,  and  the  chief 
subjects  which  now  occupied  Mr.  Bickersteth's  thoughts 
and  labors. 

Jan.  22,  1836. 

My  dear  Lady  Lucy, 

Your  welcome  letter  reached  me  safely.  Very  many  thanks  to 
you  for  all  your  kind  remembrances  of  us.  It  was  particularly 
kind,  making  the  corrections  in  the  "Guide  to  Prophecy,"  and 
sending  them ;  and  they  are  quite  in  time  for  a  new  edition, 
which  will  probably  be  called  for.  I  have  been  very  busily 
occupied  the  last  two  or  three  weeks  with  a  pamphlet  on  the 
"  Progress  of  Popery,"  which  seems  now  to  call  for  a  firm  protest 
from  all  faithful  ministers.  I  shall  be  glad  to  send  you  a  copy, 
when  it  is  out  of  the  press. 

The  two  books  on  "Affliction"  are  peculiarly  sweet  and  profit- 
able, as  far  as  I  have  looked  into  them.  My  wife  begs  me  to 
thank  you  most  heartily  for  them,  and  as  she  is  a  constant  suf- 
ferer from  increasing  deafness,  it  comes  very  seasonably  to  her. 
The  selection — "What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?"  is  of  very  pre- 
cious texts ;  but  may  I  suggest  that  the  title  is  inappropriate  ? 
The  question  itself  was  one  answered  simply — "  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved  ;"  and  that  answer 
should  ever  stand  out  prominent  and  distinct,  as  it  does  in  the 
word  of  God.  Many  of  the  texts  rather  describe  what  is  a  part 
of  salvation,  than  the  means  of  receiving  it,  which  is,  simply, 


THE  "TRACTS  FOR  THE  TIMES." 


73 


crediting  God's  word,  and  so  obtaining  joy,  peace,  love,  and  holi- 
ness. My  own  spiritual  experience  has  led  me  to  be  very  jealous 
on  this  point.  "Bible  Truths"  might  be  a  title  that  would  not 
mislead. 

My  dear  boy  gives  me  much  comfort ;  I  trust  that  we  shall  all 
receive  (I  include  yourself)  a  rich  revenue  for  all  the  seed  of  prayer 
sown  for  him. 

I  have  been  latterly  preaching  much  on  the  love  of  God,  as 
displayed  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  in  giving  Him  to  be  the  Savior  of 
the  world,  and  the  necessity  of  really  believing  this  truth,  as  the 
turning  point  of  happiness  here,  and  happiness  forever  ;  with 
the  great  guilt  of  unbelief,  as  counting  God  a  liar,  and  leaving 
the  soul  in  darkness  and  misery.  I  have  found  John  iii.  16,  and 
and  1  John  v.  9-12  eminently  profitable,  and  have  preached  a 
course  of  sermons  upon  them.  Our  grand  enemy  is  our  own  evil 
heart  of  unbelief.  It  gives  Satan  and  the  world  and  sin  their  chief 
advantage  over  us,  and  must  be  resisted  at  every  point  with  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  alone  works  faith  in  our  hearts. 

I  have  been  occupied  in  preparing  what  I  call  the  "  Cottager's 
Guide  to  Christian  Truth,"  a  quarterly  publication,  with  short 
meditations  for  the  poor.  The  four  first  numbers  were  on  the 
Scriptures,  the  Great  God,  Creation,  and  Providence.  The  next 
will  be  on  Redemption,  a  glorious  theme,  especially  as  the  Church 
of  England  so  scripturally  views  it — a  redemption  of  all  mankind. 
There  is  a  vast  body  of  divinity  in  the  explanation  of  the  Creed 
in  our  Catechism. 

On  prophecy,  my  mind,  with  increasing  strength  and  clearness, 
holds  the  Premillennial  Advent  and  its  approach,  as  the  most 
blessed  era  for  the  people  of  God.  I  think  we  are  living  under 
the  sixth  Vial,  and  the  first  Angel  preaching  the  Gospel ;  but  I 
see  not  my  way  clear  to  particular  dates.  I  feel  thankful  that 
the  Lord  led  me  to  publish  the  "  Practical  Guide  to  the  Prophe- 
cies," and  still  hold  the  truths  there  stated. 

Pilate's  turning  away  is  just  the  picture  of  the  world.  God  gives 
us  truth  in  the  Bible,  and  we  all  by  nature  turn  rather  to  man 
speaking  than  to  God  :  but  Oh  !  how  important  truth  is  ;  it  is  the 
light  in  which  we  see  God.  It  is  coming  out  of  a  dark,  solitary 
dungeon,  to  the  bright  atmosphere  of  God  himself, — as  light,  love, 
holiness,  happiness ;  and  all  ours,  to  make  us  happy  forever  in 
Him. 

vol.  n. — D 


74 


MEilOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


How  affecting  the  history  of  the  family.    What  a  lesson 

to  us  parents !  but  dead  in  Christ,  and  0  what  glory  awaits 
them  !  Josus  it  is,  Jesus  alone,  that  makes  every  thing  sunshine, 
happy  and  glorious,  all  working  for  good.  Your  own  afflictions 
touched  me  greatly,  especially  the  note  on  the  word  scourge. 
Well,  there  is  nothing  but  wisdom  and  love  in  it ;  and  so  we 
shall  tell  each  other,  when  we  meet  in  the  coming  kingdom  of 
glory.  0  how  different  then — the  sight  of  God  as  He  is,  the 
likeness  to  Him,  the  entering  into  His  character,  beauty,  good- 
ness, holiness,  and  glory — the  beholding  Him  face  to  face,  and 
that  forever  !  Is  it  possible  this  is  before  us  ?  Yes,  it  is  sure 
unto  us,  for  God  hath  given  unto  us  eternal  life,  and  we  believe 
His  testimony  concerning  His  Son  ;  and  He  who  has  begun  the 
good  work  in  us,  will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Christ.  There- 
fore will  we  love  Him  and  serve  Him  and  glorify  Him,  while  we 
live  here,  and  spend  a  blessed  eternity  in  the  same  happy  service. 
"  His  servants  shall  serve  Him,  and  they  shall  see  his  face,  and 
His  name  shall  be  on  their  foreheads."  Struggle,  my  dear 
friend,  against  unbelief,  so  insulting  to  God,  so  wronging  to  our 
own  souls,  so  marring  to  our  happiness !  "  Fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith."  Oh  !  what  a  daily  battle  ! — "  Lay  hold  on  eternal 
life."  Oh  !  what  a  grasp  it  calls  for  !  Be  of  good  comfort  ;  God 
is  for  us,  Christ  is  for  us,  the  Spirit  is  for  us,  the  promises  are  for 
us  ;  and  if  trials  meet  us  here,  they,  too,  are  for  us,  to  ripen  us  for 
the  coming  glory. 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  reference,  in  Mr.  Bickersteth's  pamphlet,  to  the 
Tracts  of  the  Christian  Knowledge  Society,  was  caused  by 
no  sudden  impulse  of  feeling,  but  a  deep  conviction  of 
duty,  after  much  prayer  and  deliberation.  His  attention 
had  been  drawn  strongly  to  the  subject  some  years  before, 
and  he  had  carefully  examined  some  of  the  Tracts  which 
were  most  faulty  in  doctrine,  with  a  view  to  obtain  their 
removal.  It  was  only  when  the  difficulties  were  found  to 
be  such  as  to  delay  indefinitely  the  hope  of  a  decisive  im- 
provement, that  he  felt  bound,  in  Christian  honesty,  to 
bear  witness  against  a  serious  evil,  which  tended  to  neu- 


THE  CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEDGE  SOCIETY. 


75 


tralize  all  the  benefits  of  so  valuable  an  institution.  The 
tone  of  his  stricture  was  equally  marked  by  faithfulness 
to  the  truth  of  God,  and  a  sincere  love  to  the  Society. 
He  was  involved  by  them,  for  several  months,  in  a  large 
correspondence.  Those  who  knew  and  loved  the  doctrine 
of  the  Articles  and  Homilies,  and  had  learned  the  nature 
of  true  wisdom,  which  is  first  pure,  and  then  peaceable, 
were  very  thankful  for  this  honest  appeal,  and  were 
encouraged  in  renewed  efforts  to  clear  away  some  Tracts 
that  were  peculiarly  offensive,  and  to  raise  the  doctrinal 
tone  of  the  Society's  publications. 

A  proposal  seems  to  have  been  made,  soon  after,  in  a 
high  ecclesiastical  quarter,  for  a  kind  of  compromise ;  so 
that  evangelical  clergymen,  and  those  of  diametrically 
opposite  views,  might  each  have  Tracts  representing  their 
views,  admitted  and  retained  on  the  Society's  list.  Some 
extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  private  friend,  through  whom 
the  suggestion  had  been  communicated,  will  show  the 
principles  which  guided  Mr.  Bickersteth,  not  only  on  this 
question,  but  on  several  others  of  the  same  kind  which 
arose  in  his  later  years. 

May  23. 

My  dear   , 

Though  I  am  but  just  returned  from  the  North,  and  find  a 
great  pressure  of  work,  your  letter  about  the  Christian  Knowledge 
Society  is  of  primary  importance,  and  demands  immediate  atten- 
tion. .  .  .  The  first  thing  is  to  ascertain  the  path  of  duty.  Evil 
consequences,  like  a  dark  cloud,  always  seem  to  hang  over  us, 
when  we  seek  to  go  in  that  path  ;  but  even  if  they  arrive,  present 
suffering  and  loss,  for  Christ's  sake,  are  infinitely  to  be  preferred 
to  present  ease  and  prosperity  in  any  other  course.  .  .  . 

You  speak  of  a  latitude  of  tracts  and  opinions  being  allowed. 
In  an  important  sense  I  fully  agree  with  this.  I  mean,  as  it  pro- 
poses including  the  whole  of  Divine  truth,  the  Law  as  well  as  the 
Gospel.  The  Bible  is  full  of  contrast  truths,  and  we  are  in  great 
danger  of  getting  one-sided  views  of  truth,  or  confounding  them 
together.  Obedience  to  the  whole  law,  practical  godliness,  devo- 
tion, honor  of  all  constituted  authorities,  careful  avoidance  of 
schisms  and  divisions,  I  consider  not  only  necessary  parts  of  truth, 


76 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


but  peculiarly  seasonable  for  these  times  :  yet  to  be  pressed,  as 
the  Scriptures  and  as  the  Church  do,  not  to  disparage  the  Gos- 
pel, but  to  show  its  necessity,  the  result  of  its  grace,  and  the  meet- 
ness  for  the  promised  glory,  establishing  the  Law  by  the  Gospel. 
Now  I  am  quite  willing  to  admit  that  evangelical  brethren  have 
sometimes  failed  in  this  lull  statement  of  the  Law,  and  I  should 
rejoice  to  see  these  things  more  brought  out  in  the  Christian 
Knowledge  Society. 

But  if  by  latitude  be  meant  an  allowance  of  unscriptural  state- 
ments of  the  way  of  salvation,  0  my  dear  brother,  we  must  not 
give  place  by  subjection,  no,  not  for  an  hour  !  It  is  not  a  point  on 
which  we  can  compromise  any  thing.  We  had  better  die  than  do 
it,  when  we  consider  the  awful  anathema,  Gal.  i.  8,  9.  This 
would  multiply  confusion.  And  where  is  the  use  at  all  of  a 
Christian  Knowledge  Society,  if  the  views  of  truth  are  to  be  so 
latitudinarian  as  to  embrace  opposite  opinions  of  this  kind  ?  It 
becomes  Babylon,  and  not  Jerusalem  :  the  mother  of  confusion, 
and  not  the  unity  of  truth.  We  are  dark  enough,  without  any 
thing  to  increase  our  darkness. 

We  know  that,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  the  majority, 
even  of  professing  Christians,  are  against  the  truth.  The  world 
is  still  the  world,  and  we  are  called  out  of  it  to  testify  the  truth,  to 
suffer  for  it,  and  to  receive  our  reward  hereafter.  Whatever  ma- 
jority there  may  be  against  God's  truth,  our  course  is  straightfor- 
ward and  plain.  God  will  uphold  us,  and  if  we  suffer  in  meek- 
ness and  love,  will  make  us  triumphant  in  the  end. 

I  cordially  rejoice  in  the  list  of  valuable  tracts  which  have  been 
added  to  the  Society,  and  doubt  not  their  circulation  will  be  at- 
tended with  much  good.  But  surely,  when  we  have  such  helps 
as  the  Liturgy,  Articles,  and  Homilies,  to  a  right  view  of  Divine 
truth,  we  may  at  least  hope  to  attain  a  standing  as  free  from 
anti-evangelical  tracts  as  the  Religious  Tract  Society,  which  has 
no  such  helps.  I  can  not  but  hope,  that  by  a  meek,  humble,  and 
affectionate,  but  firm  testimony  to  Reformation-truth,  the  Society 
may  yet  come  to  unity  of  faith  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son 
of  God,  and  be  a  full  blessing  to  our  country.  .  .  . 

Most  cordially  do  I  dislike  any  party  feelings,  as  a  party,  and  de- 
sire only  to  be  the  Lord's.  I  see  that  we  have  all  erred  and  strayed 
from  God's  ways.  We  have  all  got  partial  views.  All  who  have 
the  Spirit  of  God  may  help  each  other,  and  should  watch  against 


THE  CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEDGE  SOCIETY.  77 


partiality  of  judgment.  But  peace  is  not  the  first  part  of  wis- 
dom,— the  beginning  is  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  The  first  part  is 
purity,  the  second  only  is  peace.  May  our  God  give  us  grace  to 
be  very  zealous,  first  for  the  purity  of  His  truth— and  then,  to  speak 
it  in  love,  and  follow  peace  with  all  men.  .  .  . 

.  .  .  The  Society's  office  is  to  hold  up  the  truth,  the  whole 
trutb,  welcome  or  unwelcome,  and  to  take  its  judgment  of  acting 
rightly,  simply  from  the  word  of  God,  and  the  standards  of  the 
Church.  But  I  see  in  dear  Dodsworth's  tracts  how  difficult  it  is 
to  maintain  the  armor  of  righteousness  on  the  right  hand  and  on 
the  left.  The  great  danger  of  the  day  is  lawlessness  ;  we  see  it  on 
all  sides.  But  here  is  a  brother  holding  the  truth,  seeing  the 
danger,  and  yet,  in  his  zeal  fighting  against  the  grand  Protestant 
principle  of  the  word  of  God,  as  a  light  to  our  feet,  and  a  lamp  to 
our  paths, — and  thus  returning  by  another  devious  path  to  Papal 
darkness. 

How  earnestly,  then,  should  we  pray  for  wisdom  from  above, 
lest  we  fight  in  the  dark,  and  contend  unwarily  for  error,  and  not 
for  truth  ;  and  how  close  should  we  keep  to  the  written  word, 
that  we  may  be  guarded  by  that  fullness  of  truth  which  God  has 
there  provided  us ! 

I  have  thus  given  my  views,  as  you  wished,  candidly  and  fully. 
Greatly  should  I  rejoice  to  see  this  Society  an  honor  to  the  Church, 
by  a  free  and  full  confession  of  the  glorious  Gospel,  and  thus  a 
blessing  to  our  country  and  to  the  whole  world.  The  Lord  grant 
that  all  who  act  in  it  may  have  faithfulness,  wisdom,  and  energy, 
to  aid  in  the  accomplishment  of  a  result  so  desirable. 

A  letter,  at  the  close  of  January,  to  his  eldest  child, 
shows  the  practical  turn  which  he  knew  how  to  give,  in 
private,  to  his  public  labors. 

Watton,  Jan.  28,  1836. 

My  beloved  Child, 
I  take  the  cover  as  my  portion  in  letters  for  Clifton,  and  glad 
shall  I  be,  if  in  a  few  spare  moments  I  can  say  any  thing  ibr  your 
real  good. 

I  am  now  full  of  work,  with  a  tract  against  Popery,  which  has 
taken  me  longer  than  I  expected,  as  I  felt  it  an  important  oppor- 
tunity to  disclose  Protestant  Popery,  of  which  there  is  a  great 


78 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


abundance, — first,  in  every  carnal  heart,  and  therefore  in  our 
own,  and  then,  in  all  religious  writings.  Popery  is,  to  be  looking 
to  ourselves  and  our  own  doings  for  salvation.  Real  Protestant- 
ism is,  to  be  looking  simply  to  Jesus  for  every  thing.  All  things 
pertaining  to  life  and  godliness  are  in  Him,  and  to  be  received  by 
faith  from  Him.  Now  you  will  see,  my  dear,  how  you  and  I, 
though  we  hate  the  Pope,  may  have  plenty  of  self-popery.  0  it 
is  hard  and  impossible  to  flesh  and  blood,  to  live  by  faith  in  Je- 
sus ;  and  to  see,  if  we  pray,  it  can  only  be  His  Spirit  freely  given  ; 
if  we  love,  it  can  only  be  as  His  Spirit  first  discloses  to  us  God's  ama- 
zing love  to  us  rebels  in  the  death  of  Jesus  ;  if  we  have  the  same 
mind  as  Christ,  it  can  only  be  as,  beholding  in  the  glass  of  the 
Gospel  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we  are  changed  into  the  same  image. 
But  Jesus  has  the  Spirit,  to  enable  you  to  do  this.  My  dear  child, 
you  must  every  day,  to  your  last  gasp,  live  by  faith  in  Jesus ;  and 
come,  as  you  first  came,  an  empty  vessel,  to  take  all  out  of  His 
fullness.  0  do  not  be  content  to  live  without  Him,  on  the  husks 
of  this  empty  world  !  In  all  your  lessons,  look  through  them  to  Je- 
sus, and  feel  this. — "  I  do  them,  because  Jesus  bids  me  honor  my 
parents  and  obey  my  teachers,  and  I  delight  in  them,  because  they 
are  His  will."  I  will  be  loving  to  my  companions,  because  my 
heavenly  Father  calls  me  to  it.  I  will  go  to  family  prayer  and 
public  worship,  in  faith,  that  I  may  get  a  glimpse  of  my  Savior. 
He  loves  me. — 0  never  give  the  Devil  such  an  advantage  as  to 
doubt  this — He  washed  me  from  my  sins  in  His  blood  ;  and  I  may 
delight  myself  in  my  God,  as  my  most  holy  and  most  loving 
Father.  This  will  be  a  fresh  spring  of  living  waters,  to  refresh 
you  in  your  spiritual  warfare. 

We  almost  long  as  much  for  March  22  as  you  seem  to  do  ; 
but  0  that  we  could  always  bask  in  the  sunshine  of  our  heaven- 
ly Father's  greater  love,  and  have  no  idols  whatever,  and  delight 
in  these  as  His  gifts,  that  show  us  His  love,  and  are  to  be  used 
for  Him.    Dearest  children,  keep  these  things  in  mind. 

Your  ever  affectionate  Father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Another  letter,  at  the  close  of  February,  shows  the 
pressure  of  his  work,  as  well  as  the  fidelity  of  the  Chris- 
tian parent. 


DR.  CHALMERS. 


79 


Watton  Rectory,  February  24. 

My  dearest  Children, 

My  fingers  ache  with  writing,  before  I  begin  to  you,  but  I  am 
glad  to  send  the  hymns  for  the  next  three  months,  and  to  add  a 
few  lines  of  a  father's  love. 

While  you  are  rejoicing  in  the  short,  time  between  this  and 
March  21,  I  am  trembling,  almost,  at  the  quantity  of  work  to  be 
done  between  this  and  then.  But  our  happiness  is  much  nearer 
than  in  outward  things  ;  even  in  the  present  love  of  our  Father, 
and  in  doing  His  will.  All  else  is  a  broken  cistern.  Make  not 
your  parents  your  idols,  for  idols  are  to  be  broken. 

I  have  been  incessantly  engaged,  since  I  wrote  my  "  Treatise 
on  Popery,"  with  all  kinds  of  correspondence,  partly  on  that,  and 
partly  on  other  things  ;  and  I  have  to  be  very  thankful  to  God, 
for  being  called  to  testify  to  His  truth. 

0  my  dear  children,  get  hold,  fast  hold,  of  God's  truth,  by 
weighing,  praying  over,  searching,  and  meditating  upon,  His  word. 
It  is  full  of  light  and  love. 

Tell  Mrs.  F  ,  that  Dr.  Chalmers,  after  reading  my  work  on 

"  Prophecy,"  is  entering  into  the  views  there  brought  out.  I  know 
it  is  substantially  God's  truth,  if  no  man  on  earth  agreed  in  it ; 
but  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  see  God  bringing  such  minds  as  his  to 
concur  in  it.  But  let  our  faith  be  only  on  God's  word  ;  I  do  not 
want  any  body  to  think  it,  because  I  think  it.  What  is  my  chaff 
to  the  wheat — the  pure  truth  of  the  word  ?  Rest  there,  my  chil- 
dren, and  walk  in  God's  own  light. 

From  your  own  dear  father, 

E.  Bkkersteth. 

The  letter  of  Dr.  Chalmers,  to  which  allusion  is  here 
made,  is  interesting  in  itself,  and  still  more  for  the  sym- 
pathy it  discovers  between  two  men,  so  variously  gifted, 
and  honored,  above  most  in  their  own  day,  in  the  diffusion 
of  Divine  truth.  In  the  width  and  range  of  his  intellect- 
ual acquirements,  in  eloquence  of  the  highest  order,  arid 
those  popular  talents,  applied  to  general  subjects,  which 
earned  for  him  an  European  reputation,  even  among 
worldly  men,  Dr.  Chalmers  had  a  great  superiority;  and 
no  one  rejoiced  more  than  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  honor  gifts 
so  excellent,  devoted  so  earnestly  and  effectually  to  the 


80  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


furtherance  of  the  Gospel.  And  yet  it  may  be  doubted 
whether  his  own  early  concentration  of  all  his  powers  on 
the  one  great  object  of  life,  the  glory  of  Christ  in  the  sal- 
vation of  souls;  the  spirituality  of  his  mind,  which  led 
him  to  labor,  by  choice,  in  "  the  best  and  richest  part  of 
the  field ;"  the  simple  earnestness  of  his  zeal,  and  the  per- 
petual glow  of  love,  which  breathed  in  his  words,  and 
beamed  in  his  countenance,  did  not  render  him  an  equal 
blessing  to  the  Church  of  Christ  as  his  more  gifted  and 
more  celebrated  friend.  They  have  now  met  in  the  pres- 
ence of  their  common  Savior,  where  they  will  both  delight 
to  render  the  full  tribute  of  their  praise  to  Him  who  bless- 
ed them  in  their  labors,  and  made  them  vessels  of  mercy 
to  their  fellow-men. 

February  17,  1836. 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  should  have  acknowledged  much  sooner  the  receipt  of  your 
kind  note,  and  of  the  precious  volume  which  accompanied  it.  I 
am  now  reading  it  with  great  interest,  and  think  I  shall  accord 
more  fully  with  its  views  than  with  those  of  any  author  I  have 
yet  read,  who  has  ventured  on  the  field  of  unfulfilled  prophecy. 
I  lately  finished  the  perusal  of  all  Mede's,  and  of  all  Cuhing- 
hame's  prophetical  works,  and  certainly  have  been  much  im- 
pressed by  them.  I  sympathize,  however,  far  more  with  your 
doubts,  than  I  do  with  his  decision,  on  the  subject  of  a  personal 
reign.  But  of  this,  on  the  general,  I  am  well  satisfied,  that  the 
next  coming  (whether  in  person,  or  not,  I  forbear  to  say),  will  be 
a  coming,  not  to  the  final  judgment,  but  to  precede  and  usher  in 
the  Millennium.  I  utterly  despair  of  the  universal  prevalence  of 
Christianity,  as  the  result  of  a  pacific  missionary  process,  under 
the  guidance  of  human  wisdom  and  principle.  But  without 
slacking  in  the  least  our  obligation  to  help  forward  this  great 
cause,  I  look  for  its  conclusive  establishment  through  a  widening 
passage  of  desolating  judgments,  with  the  utter  demolition  of  our 
present  civil  and  ecclesiastical  structures. 

Let  me  advert  to  the  practical  character  and  unction  of  your 
work,  as  stamping  an  additional  value  upon  it ;  being  through- 
out, a  powerful  address  to  the  conscience,  instead  of  a  mere  enter- 


DR.  CHALMERS. 


81 


tainment,  which  too  many  of  our  works  on  prophecy  are,  to  the 
curiosity  of  men. 

I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 

Yours,  most  gratefully  and  respectfully, 

Thomas  Chalmers. 

The  views  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  on  the  duty  here  adverted 
to,  of  zeal  in  the  cause  of  missions,  will  be  seen  in  his 
reply  to  a  brother-clergyman,  who  had  asked  his  advice 
on  the  best  means  of  awakening  an  interest  in  missionary 
labors. 

March  10,  1836. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  can  only  write  in  minutes  broken  from  incessant  occupation. 

The  first  great  thing  is,  to  get  the  Missionary  principle  deeply 
seated  in  our  heart.  Nothing  does  this  but  the  tasted  love  of  our 
God,  fully  enjoyed  through  faith  in  His  own  word.  We  then 
long  to  tell  others  of  that  love.  Next,  we  have  to  credit  His 
gracious  mind,  as  set  before  us  in  such  a  passage  as  1  Tim.  ii. 
1-8,  taking  His  words  to  be  true,  that  He  will  have  all  men  to  be 
saved,  and  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  and  not  letting 
our  faith  be  cramped  and  fettered  by  any  false  human  system. 
God's  oath  is  decisive,  Ez.  xxxiii.  11,  and  it  is  very  wicked  to  set 
it  aside.  Then  come  his  positive  commands  in  rich  abundance, 
as  Mark  xvi.  15. 

The  next  thing  is,  to  look  at  His  gracious  purposes.  He  means 
to  gather  a  people  out  of  the  Gentiles,  to  show  his  abounding  love 
in  electing  grace  to  them.  He  means  to  do  this  before  He  re- 
turns. Rev.  vii.  is  to  me  decisive,  as  are  several  of  the  parables. 
My  mind  is  clear,  that  a  blessed  harvest  is  to  be  gathered,  before 
the  Lord  come,  in  the  last  tribulation,  near  at  hand.  When  we 
see  these  things,  we  see  the  proper  foundation  of  Missionary 
labors.  Not  to  bring  in  the  Millennium — the  Lord  will  do  that 
at  His  coming — but  to  gather  a  rich  harvest  of  souls  before  He 
comes,  by  spreading  far  and  wide  the  glorious  gospel. 

I  write  shortly,  but  I  write  the  result  of  lengthened  study,  and 
deliberate  conviction.  Part  of  my  mind  may  be  seen  in  my 
"  Guide  to  the  Prophecies,"  but  I  trust  that  I  see  things  more 
clearly  now  than  I  did  then. 

The  hope  of  our  Lord's  coming  is  a  grand  animating  spring  of 

D* 


82 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


liberality.  Only  the  oilier  day  I  had  £100  sent  me  for  the  Jews' 
Society,  by  one  who  felt  this  from  my  work  on  "Prophecy." 
Nothing  can  be  more  unworthy  of  our  eause,  and  of  our  Master, 
than  the  scanty  contributions  which  professing  Christians  have 
yet  given,  because  not  yet  raised  to  the  blessed  hope  and  prospect 
of  the  latter  day,  and  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  God's  love  by  faith 
in  His  word. 

Here  are  the  principles  of  true  Missionary  zeal.  As  to  working 
with  them,  it  must  greatly  depend  on  our  circumstances.  Our 
people,  brought  to  these  principles,  will  be  dead  to  the  world,  and 
will  rejoice  to  give  as  they  can.  Money  given  from  false  prin- 
ciple does  mischief  to  the  giver,  and  profits  not  the  cause  ; — but 
money  given  in  faith  and  love, — oh  how  it  blesses  all !  How 
sweet  the  posthumous  saying  ; — It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive  !  I  doubt  not,  you  have  tasted  its  sweetness,  and  can 
heartily  recommend  it  from  your  own  enjoyment.  The  Lord 
bless  you  in  the  immense  sphere  where  He  has  placed  you,  and 
ever  enable  you  to  testify  the  gospel  of  His  grace,  prays, 

Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

It  was  in  February  of  this  year  that  the  writer  paid  his 
first  visit  to  Watton  Eectory.  A  very  brief  interview  at 
Cambridge,  in  April,  1834,  led  to  a  kind  and  pressing 
invitation.  After  more  than  a  year  had  passed,  it  was 
accepted  in  a  time  of  heavy  affliction,  when  the  heart 
often  divines,  by  a  secret  instinct,  where  deep  and  loving 
sympathy  is  to  be  found.  The  intended  visit  of  a  few 
days  was  prolonged  to  some  weeks,  and  issued,  after  a 
short  interval,  in  the  continued  and  almost  unbroken 
intercourse  of  many  years ;  a  privilege  of  which  those, 
who  have  spent  even  a  few  days  only  under  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth's  roof,  will  best  understand  the  full  value.  It  was 
in  the  domestic  circle  that  his  Christian  graces  had,  per- 
haps, their  most  beautiful  exhibition.  The  glow  of  love, 
which  gave  a  charm  to  his  public  addresses,  and  made  his 
voice  the  signal  of  bright  and  happy  looks  in  a  thousand 
Missionary  meetings,  shone  with  a  quiet  and  steady  luster 
in  the  bosom  of  his  family.    His  expositions  had  a  pecu- 


JOL'KNAL. 


83 


liar  charm,  rarefy  equaled ;  they  were  so  simple,  earnest, 
and  loving.  His  prayers,  in  domestic  worship,  were  the 
outpouring  of  a  full  and  joyful  heart  in  the  presence  of 
God.  His  conversation,  while  often  playfully  familiar, 
was  always  instructive,  flowing  from  a  heart  continually 
occupied  with  the  cause  of  Christ.  And  hence  the  friends, 
who  paid  a  visit  to  Watton  Kectory,  always  looked  back 
upon  it  as  a  sunny  spot  in  their  pilgrimage ;  and,  to 
borrow  the  words  of  a  young  Missionary,  in  which  he  ex- 
pressed his  own  feelings — it  seemed  as  if  a  breeze  of  the 
eternal  summer  had  been  passing  over  them. 

Amid  these  public  and  private  employments,  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  journal  discloses  the  inner  springs  of  his 
activity. 

"  February  28.  .  .  0  my  Lord,  though  Thou  art 
teaching  me  more  of  Thy  glory,  and  Thy  grace,  yet  how 
slow  and  dull  a  scholar  am  I !  0  change  me  by  Thy  al- 
mighty grace ! 

"  I  have  been  reading,  I  trust,  with  great  spiritual  profit, 
'  Campbell  of  Kow's  Sermons ;'  and,  though  not  seeing 
with  him  in  every  thing,  the  flame  of  love  is  so  beautiful 
and  bright,  that  I  long  indeed  to  attain  it.  The  Lord 
give  me  His  grace  for  this  end.    .  . 

"  March  19.  Through  God's  mercy  I  am  now  brought 
to  be  fifty  years  of  age.  A  humbling,  and  a  grateful 
day.  Humbling  in  my  innumerable  inconsistencies,  short- 
comings, outside  religion,  love  of  human  praise,  disre- 
gard of  God  and  His  word,  worldliness  and  unbelief. 
0  the  deluge  of  sin,  from  which  I  can  find  no  clear- 
ance but  God's  mercy  in  Christ,  and  looking  constantly 
to  Him. 

"  A  grateful  day  also,  in  the  blessed  hope  that  the  Lord 
is  making  the  glorious  light  of  His  gospel  shine  more  on 
my  soul,  and  leading  me  to  a  clearer  view,  that  holiness 
and  obedience  are  my  happiness,  suffering  for  Christ  my 
privilege,  and  dailyr  dying  to  sin,  my  perfection  and  true 
blessedness ;  and  that  only  the  free  salvation  of  Jesus  can 
accomplish  this.    I  do  see  how  good  the  Lord  is,  in  com- 


84 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


manding  me  to  love  Him  with  all  my  heart ;  and  that  it 
is  just  the  same  as  if  He  commanded  me  to  be  happy, 
and  to  have  no  care,  no  fear,  no  anxiety,  but  ever  to  re- 
joice in  Him. 

"  Grateful  also  I  ought  to  be,  if  the  Lord  has  in  any 
way  used  my  writings  for  good  to  others.  As  to  myself, 
there  is  so  much  defect  in  them,  and  so  many  unworthy 
motives  mixed  up  with  them,  that  I  see  cause  for  deep 
humiliation  in  them  all. 

"  Two  great  things  I  desire  to  bend  my  strength  to  from 
this  day  ; — prayer,  and  the  word.  0  that  these  were  more 
in  every  thing  that  I  do ! 

"  Prayer.  How  far  am  I  here  from  my  real  privilege 
and  happiness!  O  that  I  spent  hours  in  prayer!  Nothing 
but  my  own  sluggishness  and  love  of  sin  prevents  it.  I 
might  thus  be  in  the  presence  of  God,  when  He  is  far  out 
of  my  thoughts.  I  might  be  gaining  light,  joy,  and  strength, 
that  would  a  thousand-fold  increase  my  usefulness.  O 
Thou  blessed  Father  of  my  mercies,  give  me  this,  I  entreat 
Thee! 

"  The  Word.  I  by  no  means  study  it  as  I  should.  It 
is  not  so  much  in  my  reading,  as  in  my  reference ;  now  it 
should  be  in  my  constant  reading,  to  get  food  from  the 
store-house,  and  not  food  minced  out  by  others.  To  get, 
not  merely  bread,  but  seed-corn.  0  give  me  this  grace, 
that  the  word  of  Christ  may  dwell  in  me  richly,  in  all 
spiritual  wisdom !  Keep  me  from  vain  books,  lead  me 
to  those  which  are  useful — but  especially  lead  me  to  Thy 
word! 

"  April  2.  Before  Easter  Sunday.  I  have,  through  mercy, 
been  carried  safely  through  a  journey  to  Bath  and  Bristol, 
and  have  seen  my  three  dear  eldest  children,  who  are  at 
school  at  Clifton.    The  Lord  is  good  to  us. 

"  But  these  changes,  and  the  occupations  they  bring, 
distract  my  mind  from  its  immediate  work,  waiting  upon 
the  Lord.  Lord,  let  Thy  table  on  the  morrow  be  my  re- 
freshment and  revival.  Let  me  eat  the  flesh  and  drink  the 
blood  of  Christ,  spiritually  feeding  on  Him  in  my  heart, 


JOURNAL. 


85 


by  faith  with  thanksgiving.  O  how  weak  I  am  always  in 
myself !  Lord  strengthen  me  out  of  Zion,  to  love  Thee, 
to  seek  Thee,  to  labor  for  Thee. 

"  A  long  journey  is  before  me  to  Ireland,  and  then  an- 
other to  Hull,  York,  and  Sheffield.  The  Lord  strengthen 
me  for  all,  and  bless  me  in  all  to  His  glory,  and  the  good 
of  souls. 

"  A  new  Edition  of  my  'Practical  Guide'  demands  my 
attention.   I  pray  for  heavenly  wisdom  in  it." 

The  journey  to  Ireland,  here  allude~d  to,  had  circum- 
stances of  peculiar  interest.  The  previous  year  had  been 
one  of  great  distress  to  the  Irish  clergy.  O'Connell  was 
then  in  the  height  of  his  influence,  the  weight  of  Govern- 
ment was  thrown  very  much  into  the  same  scale  ;  and  an 
organized  conspiracy  was  in  operation  through  the  Island, 
to  starve  or  terrify  into  submission  the  ministers  of  a 
heretic  establishment.  Kesolutions  expressive  of  sympa- 
thy with  their  suffering  brethren  had  been  largely  signed 
by  members  of  the  English  Church,  and  Ireland  seemed  to 
be,  once  more,  the  special  battle-field  in  the  conflict  be- 
tween Popery  and  the  gospel  of  Christ.  At  such  a  time 
Mr.  Bickersteth's  presence  and  counsels  were  felt,  by  many 
of  the  Irish  clergy,  to  be  very  desirable  for  themselves 
and  their  brethren,  and  he  was  urged  to  attend  at  their 
annual  April  meeting  in  Dublin,  as  deputation  for  the 
Church  Missionary  Society.  The  invitation  was  earnest 
and  affectionate,  but  somewhat  quaint  and  Irish  in  its 
style. 

February  25,  1836. 

Dear  Friend, 

Did  you  not  shake  your  hand,  and  look  kindly  on  me,  when 
I  entreated  you  last  year  in  Liverpool,  to  let  us  see  your  face 
once  more  in  our  island  ?  and  did  you  not  give  me  a  hope 
that,  God  willing,  you  would  venture  over  the  sea,  and  visit 
our  metropolis  once  more  ?  And  do  you  not  know,  or  guess, 
that  we  never  more  wanted  your  assistance,  or  more  needed 
the  kind  exertions  of  a  Christian  friend,  well  acquainted  with 
our  Society  ?  And  do  you  not  know,  or  guess,  that  I  have  a 
house  and  bed,  and  all  the  &cs.  to  make  you  forget  your  own 


86 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


land,  in  the  comforts  of  this  ?  Now  surely,  friend,  you  will 
undertake  for  us — 'tis  very  easy. 

You  would  be  wanted  to  address  our  clergy  on  the  morning 
of  the  Missionary  meeting  —  there  may  be  three  hundred  and 
more  (if  they  are  not  shot  between  now  and  then),  and  you 
would  have  to  preach  a  sermon  or  two  for  us  —  to  meet 
some  parochial  associations,  and  one  or  two  Committee-meetings. 

.  Now  do  not  let  me  entreat  you  in  vain  ;  it  is  not  for 
myself,  it  is  for  a  Society  which  you  love.  .  .  We  would 
pardon  you  all  past  omissions.  May  the  Lord  send  you,  if 
Edward  Bickersteth  will  not.  .  .  0  may  the  Spirit  of  our 
gracious  Master  be  with  you,  and  direct  each  word  and  thought 
to  His  glory.    Amen,  and  Amen. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  gladly  complied  with  the  wish  of  his 
Irish  friends,  and  spent  about  a  week  in  Dublin  at  the 
Missionary  Anniversaries.  His  address  to  the  clergy  at 
the  Missionary  breakfast,  when  about  260  of  them  were 
present,  was  soon  afterward  printed,  and  may  be  seen  in 
his  "  Occasional  Works."  It  contains  a  great  variety  of 
wise  cautions,  and  affectionate  admonitions,  well  suited  to 
impress  the  consciences,  and  reach  the  hearts  of  his  be- 
loved brethren.  The  appeal,  with  which  it  ends,  embodies 
the  spirit  of  the  whole. 

"  We  feel  in  England  intimately  united  with  you,  as 
members  of  one  outward,  as  well  as  one  spiritual  Church, 
members  of  the  body,  of  which  Christ  is  the  head.  If 
you  suffer,  we  shall  suffer  with  you ;  if  you  are  tried  in 
the  furnace  of  affliction,  we  are  exposed  to  the  same  ene- 
mies. We  stand  together  in  the  same  conflict,  the  same 
struggle  is  before  us  both,  the  same  Master  is  looking  upon 
us,  the  same  glorious  crown  is  set  before  us.  0  may  we 
together  endure  present  sufferings  for  Christ,  and  all  that 
further  suffering  which  our  God  may,  for  His  own  glory, 
our  good  here,  and  our  brighter  reward  hereafter,  yet 
bring  upon  us !  Cheering  as  is  our  present  meeting,  0 
how  much  more  blessed  will  be  that  swiftly  coming  day, 
when  we  shall  be  gathered  with  the  glorious  company  of 
the  Apostles,  the  goodly  fellowship  of  the  prophets,  the 


VISIT  TO  IRELAND. 


87 


noble  army  of  martyrs,  the  general  assembly  and  Church 
of  the  first-born,  around  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb, 
and  forever  sing ; — '  Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and 
power,  be  unto  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  to  the 
Lamb  forever.' " 

A  letter  from  Dublin,  on  this  journey,  gives  some  ac- 
count of  his  engagements,  and  shows  how  a  concern  for 
the  honor  of  the  gospel  mingled  with  and  deepened  his 
love  to  his  children. 

Dublin,  April  13. 

My  dearest  Children, 

Mamma  promised  for  me  that  I  should  write  to  you,  or  so  much 
am  I  engaged  with  important  duties,  that  I  do  not  think  I  should 
have  attempted  it,  though  I  need  not  tell  you  that  I  dearly  love 
you.  But  what  do  I  find  around  me  ?  a  circle  of  immensely- 
important  duties,  all  of  them  calling  for  reflection  and  exertion. 
The  Lord  Himself  be  my  wisdom,  and  my  strength  ! — my  little 
dears  at  Clifton  will  say,  Amen. 

I  left  home  on  Monday  night.  Mamma  and  the  four  children 
accompanied  me  to  Welwyn,  and  I  then  pursued  my  solitary  way 
to  the  mail  at  Redbourn.  I  had  not  interesting  companions — so 
I  partly  slept,  partly  read,  and  partly  rode  outside  to  see  the  coun- 
try. The  road  through  North  Wales  is  often  very  striking  : 
Snowdon  and  many  of  the  hills  are  still  covered  with  snow,  and 
the  iron  suspension-bridge  at  Menai  is  one  of  the  wonders  of  the 
world.  I  rode  over  it  outside  of  the  mail,  as  it  was  getting 
dusk.  "We  reached  the  sea-side  about  a  quarter  past  eleven, 
and  embarked  soon  after,  and  were  eight  hours  in  crossing.  As 
usual,  the  night  also  being  stormy, — I  suffered  much  from  sick- 
ness, but  through  mercy  was  brought  safely  here,  and  found  my 
friends  at  the  shore,  and  received  all  kindness  and  attention. 

I  have  since  been,  among  others,  to  call  on  the  Archbishop, 
and  met  with  a  very  kind  and  cordial  reception.  He  is  to  be 
in  the  Chair,  on  Friday,  when  our  Church  Missionary  Meeting  is 
to  be  held.  I  am  also  to  speak  at  the  Bible  Meeting  to-morrow, 
preach  in  the  evening — have  three  services  next  day,  two  the 
following,  two  on  Sunday,  and  hope  to  return  home  on  Monday. 
0  may  our  God  make  every  service  acceptable  and  blessed  to  His 
people,  and  raise  me  above  the  fear  of  man  ! 

I  trust  that  you  are  now  again  diligently,  as  God  enables  you, 


88 


MEMOIR  OP  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


at  your  appointed  duties.  My  anxiety  is  to  give  you  the  best 
Christian  education  in  my  power,  that,  with  the  Lord's  blessing, 
you  may  be  more  happy,  and  more  useful,  and  glorify  Him,  and 
benefit  others  more.  Do  not,  my  dearest  children,  let  these  good 
hopes  be  disappointed.  Oh  remember,  the  sacrifice  of  our  grand 
idol,  Self,  is  the  one  great  work,  to  which  the  grace  and  love  of 
the  gospel  constantly  leads,  and  for  which  it  gives  power,  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  dwelling  in  us. 

Then  think,  my  dearest  children,  of  this.  People  everywhere 
hear  me  talking  of  the  love  of  God  in  Christ,  and  everywhere 
read  my  books,  which  had  been  more  circulated  than  any  other 
religious  books,  perhaps,  of  our  day  through  our  whole  country. 

0  how  sad  it  would  be,  if  they  could  turn  to  my  children  and 
say — See,  they  do  not  love  Christ,  they  are  as  fond  of  vanity  and 
folly,  as  if  they  had  no  such  instruction  ;  their  father  can  not 
have  been  consistent  at  home,  or  God's  promise  has  failed.  0 
let  neither  of  these  reproaches  be  raised,  my  sweetest  children, 
by  any  thing  others  may  see  in  you.  "  What  do  ye  more  than 
others?"  is  a  question  that  may  be  put  with  special  meaning  to 
my  dearest  little  ones. 

But  indeed  you  have  given  me  comfort  already,  and  will  do  so, 

1  trust,  more  and  more,  by  seeking  to  commend  the  gospel  of  Him 
who  loved  you,  and  bought  you  with  His  blood.  The  sweetest 
life  is,  to  be  ever  making  sacrifices  for  Him  ;  the  hardest  life  a 
man  can  lead  on  earth,  the  most  full  of  misery,  is  to  be  always 
doing  his  own  will,  and  seeking  to  please  himself. 

The  Church  of  Christ  here,  as  almost  everywhere,  is  greatly 
broken  up  and  divided.  The  harrow  of  Providence  seems  break- 
ing all  the  clods  of  earth,  that  there  may  be  more  room  for  the 
good  seed.  It  is  the  seed-time,  and  we  must  sow  as  much  good 
seed  as  we  can.  .  .  . 

I  hope  that  Rom.  xii.  sometimes  recurs  to  you  all.  Let  us 
watch  and  pray,  as  those  waiting  for  their  Lord. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Within  a  fortnight  after  his  return  from  his  Irish  visit, 
he  was  called  to  preach  the  Annual  Sermon  of  the  Euro- 
pean Society,  which  succeeded  the  Continental,  and  with 
some  change  in  its  constitution,  has  since  been  merged  in 


JOURNEYS. 


89 


tlie  Foreign  Aid  Society.  The  occasion  led  him  to  dwell 
on  the  prospects  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  the  spiritual 
condition  of  the  continent  of  Europe.  In  the  early  part 
of  the  Sermon,  he  gave  a  brief,  but  full  outline  of  his  own 
expectations,  with  the  Scripture  passages  on  which  they 
were  founded,  and  afterward  brought  together  much  in- 
formation on  the  actual  state  of  the  foreign  churches  and 
kingdoms.  Indeed  the  peculiar  character  of  his  anniver- 
sary discourses  was  the  iinion  of  full  information,  collected 
diligently  from  various  sources,  with  a  simple  glowing  ex- 
hibition of  gospel  truth,  enriched  ever  by  the  glorious 
hope  of  good  things  to  come.  The  effect  of  this  was,  to 
give  most  of  them  a  permanent  value,  for  historical  refer- 
ence, when  the  immediate  occasion  was  gone  by.  The 
fact,  for  instance,  mentioned  in  this  sermon,  that  from 
1817  to  1829.  there  were  circulated  in  France  4,768,900 
volumes  of  the  four  chief  Infidels,  Voltaire,  &c.  and  only 
91,764  Bibles  and  Testaments,  retains  to  this  hour  its 
practical  significance.  The  description  of  the  Continent, 
which  follows,  has  found  a  signal  illustration  in  the  three 
last  years. 

"  The  people  of  the  Continent,  wearied  with  Popery 
and  abstract  Protestantism,  tried  Infidelity  as  a  remedy ; 
it  disappointed  them.  Groaning  under  despotism,  they 
tried  revolution  again  and  again ;  it  also  has  failed  them. 
Out  of  the  serpent's  root  has  come  a  cockatrice,  and  the 
fruit  hath  been  a  fiery  flying  serpent.  Everywhere  there 
is  the  expression  of  want:  the  cry  is,  'Who  will  show  us 
any  good?'  The  delusion  of  St.  Simonianism  seemed  to 
promise  it;  it  was  taken  up  warmly  and  largely,  and  found 
to  be  vanity.  Worn-out  Popery,  decayed  Protestantism, 
cold  infidelity,  scientific  attainments,  national  reputation, 
revolutionary  movements,  sensuality, — these  meet  not  the 
wrant.  There  is  a  void  in  the  human  soul  which  God 
alone  can  fill.  How  can  the  creature  be  happy,  sundered 
from  the  Creator,  or  the  sinner  without  a  Savior  ?" 

The  following  letter  was  written  to  his  children  in  the 
month  of  May,  during  another  journey. 


90 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Hull,  May  12,  1836. 

My  dearest  Children, 

I  attended  the  public  meetings,  Bible,  Missionary, 
Prayer-book,  and  Jews,  and  spoke  at  all — at  the  second  meetings 
of  the  two  first,  for  there  were  two  meetings,  and  preached  also 
for  the  European  Missionary  Society.  I  have  since  been  travel- 
ing, after  stopping  four  hours  at  Watton,  and  preaching  and 
speaking  continually  for  our  heavenly  Master.  0  how  needful  is 
grace  within,  that  all  this  bustle,  and  testimony  without,  be  from 
a  real  spring  of  living  waters  ! 

York,  May  13. 

I  was  interrupted  at  Hull,  and  resume  my  letter  here.  God 
was  pleased  much  to  prosper  our  efforts  there,  and  greatly  in- 
creased contributions  were  raised.  I  came  on  here  by  the  mail 
yesterday,  arrived  at  four,  and  was  heartily  welcomed  by  our  dear 
old  friends,  Mr.  Gray,  and  his  son.  I  had  not  been  here  long, 
when  I  was  summoned  to  an  evening  meeting,  and  find,  that 
though  I  came  for  relaxation,  work  is  fully  laid  out  for  me.  Well, 
we  must  not  be  idle  and  silent  in  these  days,  but  work  heartily, 
while  it  is  day. 

My  friend  Mr.  Gray,  is  one  of  the  most  venerable,  devout,  sim- 
ple-hearted, evangelical  Christians  that  England  contains.  In 
his  87th  year,  he  is  glorifying  God,  and  a  blessing  to  others,  by 
still  doing  much  for  Christ,  and  by  a  consistent  example,  now 
prolonged  for  nearly  seventy  years,  during  which  he  has  been 
walking  with  God.  Who  but  can  see  the  blessing  of  a  life  of 
godliness,  even  in  this  world,  in  such  a  sweet  example  ?  .... 
But,  my  beloved  children,  this  was  not  obtained  without  many  a 
struggle,  in  youth,  with  the  corruptions  of  his  heart,  many  a  loss, 
sacrifice  and  disappointment  in  his  early  days.  He  was  content 
to  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth,  and  now  the  Lord  has  richly  re- 
warded him  here,  and  there  is  waiting  for  him  the  great  reward 
at  His  coming.  I  mention  it  as  a  quickening  motive  to  all  of 
you,  to  sacrifice  present  inclination,  and  patiently  wait  on  the 
Lord  for  His  recompense. 

. '  .  .  What  I  want  for  my  beloved  children,  is  real  joy  and 
happiness  in  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  then  to  seek  to  spread 
that  happiness  all  around.  God  is  light,  and  in  His  light  we  see 
light.  God  is  love,  and  in  His  love  we  feel  love  :  and  light  and 
love  are  happiness.    The  gospel  is  to  bring  us  to  this,  and  the 


JOURNEYS. 


91 


door  of  faith  opens  all  the  treasures  of  the  gospel  for  our  daily 
use  and  enjoyment. 

Well,  my  dear  children,  I  suppose  that  your  thoughts  are  con- 
stantly turning  homeward.  But  0  remember,  home  will  be  but 
a  place  of  misery,  if  you  do  not  make  God  your  portion  and  your 
dwelling-place.  In  Him  only  is  rest,  in  Him  only  is  happiness. 
If  parents  are  dear,  if  brother  and  sisters  are  dear,  He  who  gave 
us  them,  and  continues  them,  should  be  our  confidence,  and  our 
joy,  and  infinitely  dearer. 

From  your  own  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

In  the  course  of  the  previous  summer,  Lord  Ashley 
had  called  at  Watton  Rectory,— his  regard  for  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth's  character  and  writings  having  led  him  to  desire 
a  personal  acquaintance ;  and  the  foundation  was  thus 
laid  of  a  friendship,  which  continued,  with  growing  at- 
tachment, till  Mr.  Bickersteth's  death,  and  was  maintained 
by  a  copious  and  interesting  correspondence.  A  visit  of 
a  few  days,  at  the  close  of  August  in  this  year,  was  a 
season  of  peculiar  privilege  to  all  who  were  present.  The 
diversity  of  gifts,  of  station,  and  of  character,  only  ren- 
dered more  striking  the  deep  harmony  of  feeling  and  judg- 
ment, between  the  devoted  minister  of  Christ,  who  had 
now  labored  twenty  years  in  the  .  cause  of  missions,  and 
the  rising  statesman,  the  advocate  of  Christian  mercy  and 
Protestant  truth  in  the  high  places  of  the  land.  The  mu- 
tual pleasure  experienced  appears  in  a  note  of  his  Lord- 
ship, written  about  a  month  later.  "  I  am  gratified,"  he 
says,  "  to  learn  from  you  that  I  have  left  a  favorable  and 
lasting  impression  among  you.  Few  things  have  ever 
given  me  more  pleasure  than  my  visit  to  Watton,  and  I 
hope  and  trust  that,  by  God's  blessing,  I  shall  ever  find 
consolation  and  delight  in  such  relaxations  as  these." 

One  or  two  extracts  from  the  private  journal  show  some 
of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  employments  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
year. 

"  September  25.  My  new  edition  of  the  '  Practical  Guide 


92 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


to  the  Prophecies,'  is  now  publishing.  I  have  been  spend- 
ing some  days  at  Walton  by  the  sea-side  

'"  0  that  I  could  realize  more  the  crisis  of  the  Church's 
history  in  which  we  live,  and  the  great  work  resting  upon 
ministers  now,  of  warning  men  of  the  coming  day  of  trib- 
ulation, and  the  Bridegroom's  approach !  Lord,  help  me 
to  be  a  wise  and  faithful  steward  of  Thy  mysteries. 

"  October  30  I  have  been  to  Norwich,  Yar- 
mouth, Bury,  and  Sudbury  for  the  Jews,  where  the  Lord 
was  graciously  pleased  to  use  me  for  good.    .    .  . 

"  0  Lord,  I  can  not  have  rejoicing  in  myself,  for  all  is 
most  defective  and  defiled.  Yet  such  Thou  receivest, — O 
wonderful  grace !  £  Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord,  there- 
fore will  he  lead  sinners  in  the  way.'  I  cry  to  Thee,  O 
my  Father,  for  bread,  the  bread  of  life — Christ  for  me, 
and  Christ  in  me ;  Christ  for  me,  in  all  He  has  done,  is 
doing,  and  will  do  :  Christ  in  me,  by  his  Spirit,  every  day, 
every  hour. 

"  What  a  description  of  Asa !  he  did  that  which  was 
right  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord ;  but  he  was  diseased  in  his 
feet  in  his  old  age.    0  let  not  that  be  my  state  spiritually. 

"November  27,  In  the  last  month  I  have  published 
No.  8  of  the  1  Cottager's  Guide.'  (No.  7  in  August.)  O 
bless  it  for  much  good.  I  have  had  much  impressed  on 
my  mind  the  great  sinfulness  of  my  heart,  in  the  low  state 
of  intercessory  prayer  that  marks  my  own  devotions,  both 
social,  family,  and  private.  My  own  exposition  of  2  Cor. 
i.  11  in  the  family,  was,  I  trust,  profitable,  in  leading  me 
to  see  this.  0  Lord,  let  thine  own  Spirit  admit  me  into 
the  liberty  of  prayer  to  thee." 

Early  in  1837,  Mr.  Greig,  who  had  been  his  valued 
curate  nearly  three  years,  was  called  to  a  wider  sphere 
of  duty  at  Barford,  near  Leamington.  An  engagement 
was  then  made  with  Spencer  Thornton,  the  nephew  of 
his  patron,  Abel  Smith,  Esq.,  to  supply  the  vacant  post. 
Mr.  Thornton  came  to  Watton  soon  after  his  ordination, 
about  the  end  of  February,  and  continued  there  till  the 
close  of  the  year,  and  was  then  presented  by  his  uncle  to 


MR.  SPENCER  THORNTON. 


93 


the  living  of  Wendover,  near  Aylesbury,  where  he  labored 
for  twelve  years,  till  his  sudden  and  lamented  death. 

The  connection  was  one  of  unmingled  affection,  and  of 
mutual  benefit.  Early  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Christ, 
Mr.  Thornton  possessed,  in  a  peculiar  measure,  the  gifts 
and  the  grace  which  qualify  for  the  work  of  pastoral  visita- 
tion. With  a  deep  love  to  immortal  souls,  he  joined  a 
very  practical  turn  of  mind,  and  an  instinctive  aptitude 
for  the  details  of  parochial  management.  His  stay  at 
Watton,  though  short,  was  eminently  useful  to  the  parish; 
while  he  always  retained  a  deep  sense  of  the  benefits  he 
derived  from  Mr.  Bickersteth's  ripened  judgment,  and 
regarded  him  with  a  filial  esteem  and  reverence.  The 
very  day  before  his  sudden  death,  he  had  called  at  Watton 
Rectory,  to  confer  on  several  points  connected  with  the 
welfare  of  his  own  parish;  and  the  last  published  writing 
of  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  a  brief  obituary  of  his  beloved  son 
in  the  ministry,  which  he  had  drawn  up  only  a  few  days 
before  he  was  seized  himself  with  his  mortal  illness.  The 
words  of  the  sweet  Psalmist  might  be  applied  to  them 
both,  even  with  a  fuller  emphasis  than  in  its  original 
reference.  They  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives, 
and  in  their  death  they  were  not  divided. 

Difficulties  arose  at  this  time  in  the  Church  Pastoral 
Aid  Society,  which  had  been  only  lately  formed,  from  the 
reluctance  of  many  of  the  bishops  to  sanction  the  employ- 
ment of  lay  agents;  an  error  of  judgment  much  to  be  de- 
plored, and  which  has  since,  in  most  cases,  been  happily 
corrected  by  experience.  On  this  subject  Mr.  Bickersteth 
wrote  two  letters,  which  show  his  distinctness  in  asserting 
the  great  principles  of  the  Gospel,  and  his  regard  to  the 
authority  of  superiors,  up  to  the  furthest  limit  which  con- 
science will  allow.  In  one  of  them  he  advised  that  the 
Society  should  cede  the  point  in  its  practice,  while  assert- 
ing the  principle,  because  there  was  already  another  insti- 
tution which  had  that  object  specially  in  view;  while  the 
second  letter,  addressed  to  a  friend  of  one  of  the  bishops, 
as  the  best  and  most  respectful  means  of  communication, 


94  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


urged  the  duty  and  necessity  of  laymen  co-operating  in 
the  spread  of  Divine  truth.  His  advice  was  not  adopted 
by  the  Committee ;  and  indeed  the  event  seems  to  have 
proved  that  the  retention  of  lay  agency,  as  one  branch  of 
the  Society's  operations,  was  the  wiser  course.  If  he 
erred,  however,  it  was  from  no  backwardness  to  encounter 
reproach  where  Scriptural  principles  were  at  stake,  but 
simply  from  not  observing,  at  the  moment,  how  seriously 
the  true  unity  of  the  Church  would  be  obscured,  if  lay 
and  clerical  agency  were  reckoned  so  distinct  in  kind, 
and  so  independent  in  their  nature,  as  to  be  best  adminis- 
tered by  two  independent  Societies.  The  danger  would 
thus  be  increased,  on  the  one  side,  of  clerical  formalism 
and  superstition ;  and  on  the  other,  of  growing  irregu- 
larity, and  a  lawless  disparagement  of  the  ordinances  of 
Christ.  When  once  the  decision  was  made,  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  fully  acquiesced  in  it,  and  gave  the  Society  his  zeal- 
ous support  and  co-operation. 

February  1,  1 837. 

My  dear  Lord  Ashley, 

Feeling  anxious  about  the  present  position  of  the  Pastoral  Aid 
Society,  from  having  been  informed  that  several  of  the  Bishops 
refuse  to  sanction  lay  agency,  and  that  this  has  occasioned  much 
perplexity  and  discussion,  I  venture  to  write  to  your  Lordship 
such  views  as  have  occurred  to  me  on  the  subject. 

I  can  have  no  question  in  my  own  judgment,  from  statements 
in  the  New  Testament,  that  lay  agency  is  a  most  scriptural  and 
important  means  of  diffusing  Divine  truth  among  men.  We 
clearly  see  in  Rom.  xvi.  and  Phil,  iv.,  as  well  as  in  other  parts, 
that  women,  and  I  doubt  not  in  the  list  of  names,  laymen  also, 
labored  in  the  Gospel.    The  principle  is  scriptural. 

In  the  present  day  it  surely  would  be  the  part  of  wisdom 
in  the  Governors  of  our  Church,  to  secure,  in  every  scriptural 
way,  all  the  lay  co-operation  that  is  practicable.  Attacked  as 
the  Church  is  on  every  side,  how  could  it  be  more  strengthened 
than  by  a  full,  scriptural  use  of  the  laity  in  connection  with  it  ? 

Fully,  however,  seeing  and  insisting  on  these  principles,  there 
are  two  or  three  weighty  reasons,  which  lead  me  to  think  that 


CHURCH  PASTORAL  AID  SOCIETY. 


95 


the  Society  will  follow  a  wise  and  Christian  course  in  conceding, 
for  the  present  at  least,  the  direct  employment  of  lay  agents. 

We  know  that  lawlessness  is  the  peculiar  character  of  these 
days  ;  to  speak  evil  of  dignities,  to  cast  oil"  the  yoke  of  restraint, 
to  be  self-willed  and  high-minded,  are  the  special  temptations  of 
the  times.  An  opposite  course  to  this,  a  giving  up  of  our  own 
plans,  in  submission  to  authorities  over  us,  where  not  contrary 
to  God's  word,  is  likely,  then,  I  think,  to  obtain  the  special 
blessing  of  God,  and  to  commend  itself  to  the  consciences  of  our 
rulers. 

Simplicity  of  object  is  a  great  point  toward  the  attainment  of 
enlarged  and  full  support,  as  it  shuts  out  a  variety  of  scruples  of 
conscience,  which  more  diversified  objects  let  in.  In  this  view  the 
simplicity  of  the  object,  additional  clergymen  for  parishes  needing 
them,  would  commend  itself  very  extensively  to  the  Church  of 
England. 

But  would  I  then  abandon  the  principle  of  lay  agency  ?  By 
no  means,  as  churchmen  individually ;  and  happily  there  is 
another  Society,  already  in  efficient  and  extensive  operation, 
which  takes  this  object  up  explicitly.  I  mean  that  excellent  in- 
stitution, the  District  Visiting  Society.  Let  the  Pastoral  Aid  So- 
ciety leave  direct  lay  agency  to  that  Society,  and  occupy  itself  in 
furnishing  assistant  pastors  to  overgrown  parishes,  and  such  other 
aid  as  may  be  approved  in  connection  with  it. 

We  must  give  up  God's  truth  and  will  to  no  man  ;  but  wisely 
to  discern  things  that  differ,  and  choose  the  best  plans  for  attain- 
ing the  best  end,  is  unspeakably  important ;  and  it  is  my  hearty 
prayer  that  this  wisdom  may  be  given  to  our  friends  meeting 
together. 

I  see,  all  through  the  history  of  the  revival  of  religion  in  our 
country,  that  those  have  been  specially  honored  of  God  who 
respected  authorities  over  them,  and,  while  full  of  zeal  for  the 
truth,  walked  orderly  in  maintaining  and  diffusing  it. 

There  are  other  material  points,  which  can  not  be  conceded, 
and  will  not,  I  hope,  be  asked  of  the  Society.  The  nomination 
of  those  persons  whom  it  supports  is  so  clear  a  matter  of  equity, 
and  so  analogous  to  private  patronage,  and  to  the  established 
practice  with  Government  and  in  Missionary  Societies,  that  as, 
on  the  one  hand,  the  Society  could  never  relinquish  it  without 
relinquishing  all  its  usefulness,  and  its  claims  on  the  more  zealous 


96 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


members  of  our  church, — so,  on  the  other  hand,  I  trust  it  will 
never  he  required  to  give  up  this  right ;  the  due  qualification  of 
candidates  being  always  finally  determined  by  the  bishops,  in  the 
discharge  of  their  high  and  most  responsible  office. 

It  might  be  desirable,  I  would  suggest,  in  giving  up  lay  agency, 
to  testify  the  scriptural  value  and  importance  of  that  aid  to  the 
ministry  ;  and  in  confining  yourselves  to  maintaining  assistant 
pastors,  to  suggest,  in  the  present  exigency  of  the  church,  the  im- 
portance of  not  confining  ordination  to  those  who  have  had  an 
university  education,  so  as  to  make  that  the  main,  which  is  really 
only  a  subordinate  qualification  ;  while  the  more  important 
requisites,  fullness  of  scriptural  knowledge,  maturity  of  Christian 
judgment,  depth  of  experience,  and  warmth  of  zeal  and  love,  are 
disregarded. 

My  great  love  to  the  object  of  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society  has 
led  me  to  make  these  remarks;  but  I  gladly  leave  the  subject 
with  the  brethren  whose  immediate  duty  it  will  be  to  decide 
the  important  question  submitted  to  them,  and  have  the  honor 
to  be, 

Your  lordship's  obliged  and  faithful  servant, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

My  dearest  B  ,  February  13,  1837. 

I  thank  you  for  your  note.  I  had  not  received  tidings  from 
any  other  quarter  previously  about  the  meeting,  and  your  account 
was  the  more  interesting.  Having  already  made  a  statement  to 
Lord  Ashley  of  the  judgment  to  which  my  mind  had  come,  I  do 
not  feel  called  upon  to  interfere  personally  at  the  adjourned  meet- 
ing. 

For  the  reason  I  have  stated,  subjection  to  authorities,  sim- 
plicity of  object,  and  the  fact  that  lay  agency  is  provided  for  by 
another  Society,  I  feel  satisfied  that  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society 
would  act  wisely  in  giving  way  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the 
Bishops,  while  they  firmly  maintained  the  scriptural  principle 
itself. 

Admitting  this,  I  can  not,  however,  but  be  very  anxious  about 
the  judgment  which  our  respected  superiors,  the  Bishops,  seem  in 
part  to  have  formed,  not  to  sanction  lay  agency  in  the  pi-esent 
day.  Surrounded  as  the  Church  is  with  most  able,  bitter,  and 
yet  apparently  conscientious  opponents  (acting  at  least  professedly 


CHURCH  PASTORAL  AID  SOCIETY. 


97 


from  conscience),  tottering  as  its  position  is,  with  regard  to  the 
support  of  Government,  and  feeble  as  its  hold  is  on  even  the  con- 
servative classes  themselves,  I  can  not  but  have  great  fears  for  the 
continuance  of  the  national  maintenance  of  our  Establishment. 
With  its  fall  from  that  great  and  high  position,  what  Christian 
member  of  it  can  but  see — however  the  spiritual  part  of  the 
Church  may  be  quickened,  revived,  and  purified — great,  wide- 
spread, and  fearful  evils  to  our  beloved  country  ?  The  rejection 
of  God's  true  Church  by  the  nation,  would  be  a  national  crime,  to 
be  visited  by  awful  national  judgments. 

We  see,  in  the  case  of  Popery,  how  the  aggrandizement  of  the 
clergy,  beyond  the  scriptural  limit,  everywhere  weakened  it  in 
the  result,  and  has  been  the  great  occasion  of  its  fall ;  and  I  fear 
much  lest  the  radical  spirit  abroad,  causing  a  powerful  reaction, 
should  throw  us  in  the  ministry  into  that  false  position. 

Instead  of  seeking,  by  being  an  extended  blessing,  to  meet  all 
the  spiritual  wants  of  the  people,  if  we  are  standing  upon  a  sys- 
tem of  exclusiveness  and  self-exultation,  as  I  can  not  but  see 
some  are  doing,  we  shall  precipitate  our  fall,  and  give  our  watch- 
ful enemies  special  advantage  over  us. 

Dissent  is  not  to  be  met  and  overcome  by  such  a  system  ;  it 
will  rather  be  exceedingly  strengthened.  For  though  the  princi- 
ples of  our  Establishment  are  most  scriptural, — though  it  is  the 
plainest  duty  of  a  Christian  nation  to  support  nationally  the  Gos- 
pel,— yet  never,  on  the  one  hand,  shall  we  have  the  consciences 
and  hearts  of  our  country  with  us,  but  as  we  are  a  real  spiritual 
blessing  to  them  ;  nor  on  the  other  hand,  shall  we  have  the  Di- 
vine protection,  but  as  we  are  fulfilling  that  high  office.  The 
Jewish  Church  itself,  ceasing  to  fulfill  it,  was  laid  aside. 

To  have  the  consciences  and  hearts  of  the  people  with  us,  it 
must  be  seen  that  we  are  not  backward,  but  forward,  in  promo- 
ting their  spiritual  welfare — the  great  end  as  respects  them,  of 
our  Establishment.  If  they  see  us  earnest  about  the  temporali- 
ties, and  cold  about  their  spiritual  state,  they  will  be  careless  of 
the  temporalities,  and  seek  spiritual  blessings  in  other  quarters. 

How  important  also  is  it  to  increase  in  every  way,  not  incon- 
sistent with,  but  according  to  the  Scriptures  and  primitive  cus- 
tom, that  interest  which  the  pious  laity  are  beginning  to  feel  in 
the  Church.  I  can  not  conceive  how  it  is  possible  to  get  over 
many  plain  statements  in  the  New  Testament,  that  those  not 

VOL.  II. — E 


98 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


in  the  ministry  were  helpers  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  lahored  in 
the  Gospel ;  or  the  statements  given  by  Bingham  respecting  the 
primitive  catechists.  The  laity  must  see  and  feel  this.  They 
are  willing  to  assist  us.  The  Dissenters  are  open  to  their  exer- 
tions, and  use  them  to  the  utmost,  and  draw  off  from  the  Church 
its  resources.  What  could  deepen  more  the  interest  of  the 
laity  in  our  Church,  or  more  increase  their  affection  to  it,  than 
to  use  them  as  instruments  to  diffuse  vital  truth  in  our  par- 
ishes ?  But  if  this  be  checked,  all  their  zeal  will  naturally 
flow  in  sectarian  channels,  to  the  continued  weakening,  and  in 
the  end,  to  the  certain  and  righteous  destruction  of  our  Estab- 
lishment. On  the  other  hand,  let  their  employment  be  wisely 
regulated  by  the  sanction,  suggestions,  and  control  of  our  supe- 
riors ;  and  it  will  infinitely  more  endear  our  Church  to  the  whole 
country  than  even  those  valuable  improvements  in  secular  things, 
which  the  Church  Commission  is  now  effecting.  Nothing  but 
that  which  is  single-eyed  to  God's  glory,  and  the  salvation  of  man, 
by  the  free  circulation  of  the  unadulterated  "good  tidings  of  great 
joy,"  in  every  scriptural  method,  will  at  all  meet  the  present  ex- 
igencies of  the  Church  of  England,  that  sacred  deposit  of  three 
centuries,  now  entrusted  to  us  in  a  season  of  peculiar  peril. 

You  see  then,  my  dear  B  ,  how,  though  I  think  the  Society, 

as  a  society,  ought  to  concede  its  just  and  lawful  objects  to  the  ex- 
pressed wishes  of  our  superiors,  I  feel  also,  judging  on  a  large  scale, 
that  the  principle  sought  to  be  established,  of  rejecting  any  agency 
in  the  instruction  of  the  poor,  is  really  prejudicial,  as  it  regards  the 
enlarged  interests  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  well  as  the  cause 
of  Divine  truth.  .  .  . 

The  Lord  guide  the  minds  of  all  concerned,  to  His  glory,  and 
the  good  of  our  Church,  prays 

Yours  most  truly, 

E.  Bicker steth. 

"  February  26,  1837.  My  dear  brother,  Spencer  Thorn- 
ton, has  now  joined  me  as  a  fellow-laborer.  The  Lord 
himself  very  largely  bless  us  in  our  union,  making  us  a 
large  blessing  to  one  another,  the  parish,  the  country,  and 
His  church. 

"  My  sermons  entitled  the  '  Apostolic  Benediction'  are 


JOURNAL. 


99 


now  printed :  may  it  be  for  good.  I  am  called  to  preach 
a  sermon  to  the  Jews.    Lord,  bless  me  in  doing  this. 

"  Lord,  I  ask  of  Thee  this  day  at  thy  table  these  seven 
things — grace  for  early  rising,  fall  private  morning  prayer, 
constant  mid-day  prayer,  diligent  evening  prayer,  self- 
denial  in  things  pleasant  to  the  flesh,  intercession  for  the 
people  committed  to  me,  enlarged  liberality. 

"  May  my  intercourse  with  Spencer  Thornton  be  really 
a  blessing  to  him,  so  that  his  whole  ministry  may  be 
prospered  through  the  good  he  gets  here.  Lord,  do  this 
for  me." 

Two  short  notes  to  Mrs.  Abel  Smith,  at  this  time,  al- 
lude to  Mr.  Thornton's  labors,  as  well  as  to  his  own 
engagements. 

"  March  28,  1837.  ...  I  feel  very  thankful  to  God, 
who  has  given  me  such  a  fellow-laborer  as  dear  Spencer, 
who  with  unwearied  zeal  and  perseverance  visits  the 
poor,  and  attends  to  all  his  duties.  The  Lord  himself 
smile  on  our  joint  efforts  for  the  good  of  poor  dear  Wat- 
ton  

"  I  leave  here  on  Monday  for  a  fortnight,  if  God  will, 
to  go  to  Bristol,  Bath,  and  Birmingham.  It  is  an  impor- 
tant journey,  for  the  many  large  meetings  and  congrega- 
tions to  be  addressed.  The  Lord  make  me  faithful,  and  a 
blessing.  You  may  say  '  Amen'  to  this.  I  am  engaged 
also  to  preach  the  Annual  Sermon  for  the  Reformation  So- 
ciety the  first  week  in  May.  It  is  a  weighty  duty,  for 
which  I  ask  the  prayers  of  my  friends. 

"  O  that  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  Christ's  Gospel 
may  give  us  present  and  personal  joy,  and,  in  the  expe- 
rience of  that  joy,  constrains  us  to  seek  to  impart  the  same 
blessedness  to  others !" 

"  May,  1837.  ...  I  hope  that  we  may  soon  see  you 
among  us.  The  country  is  so  exquisitely  rich,  that  we 
heartily  desire  our  kind  friends  should  enjoy  it  with  us. 
It  so  naturally  (if  I  may  use  the  term,  which  is  only  true 
spiritually)  leads  the  heart  to  the  bounteous  Giver  of  all 
our  mercies;  and  the  delay  so  enhances  the  goodness 


100  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


when  it  does  come,  that  the  whole  face  of  creation  is  full 
now  of  lessons  of  grace,  leading  us  to  joy  in  our  heavenly 
Parent. 

"  I  have  been  writing  another  number  of  the  '  Cotta- 
ger's Guide,'  on  Christian  Privileges.  It  is  a  sweet  sub- 
ject, in  the  light  and  blessedness  of  which  we  might  live, 
with  more  faith,  in  much  more  love  and  happiness.  God 
grant  that  it  may  help  some  of  my  dear  flock  to  do  so. 

"  I  have  increasing  hope  and  comfort  among  the  people. 
A  spirit  of  hearing  is  spreading,  and  it  is  a  token  for 
good  that  some  manifest  their  dislike  to  what  is  going  on. 
Dear  Thornton's  aid  is  most  precious  to  me,  and  he  quite 
wins  his  way  among  all. 

"  Our  dear  C  has  been  our  chief  domestic  cross  the 

last  seven  weeks.  I  pray  God  it  may  be  sanctified ;  for 
oh  I  find  how  much  that  is  hard  wants  softening,  what  is 
high  wants  bringing  down,  and  what  is  worldly  wants 
removing,  in  my  own  heart ;  and  that  only  two  things  do 
this — the  warm  sunshine  of  God's  love — and  the  sharp, 
but  really  kind  strokes  of  affliction.  .  .  "We  doubt  not 
that  sweet  end  of  the  Lord's  dealings,  that  He  is  very 
pitiful  and  of  tender  mercy. 

"  March  19,  1837.  I  am  now  fifty-one  years  of  age. 
And,  O  how  graciously  has  the  God  of  all  grace  and  mer- 
cy dealt  with  one  who  has  made  such  unworthy  returns  to 
Him  !  The  mercies  that  surround  me  now  are  great,  and 
beyond  my  enumeration.  What  full  provision  has  He 
made  for  all  my  wants,  and  for  my  usefulness  to  others  ! 
Near  our  Metropolis,  so  that  it  is  accessible ;  far  enough 
from  it,  to  be  free  from  its  distractions  ;  a  full  competency 
for  my  family,  and  power  to  help  others  :  a  friend  to  con- 
fer with  in  my  studies,  and  another  like  Thornton,  to  la- 
bor in  my  parish  ;  the  joy  of  's  steadiness  in  the  Lord; 

the  circulation  of  my  religious  works,  the  good  measure 
of  health  I  enjoy  ;  the  valuable  library  the  Lord  has  ena- 
bled me  to  gather ;  some  usefulness,  I  trust,  in  my  parish, 
and  yet  more  in  my  country:  the  glorious  gospel  of  the 


JOURNAL. 


101 


grace  of  God,  committed  to  my  trust,  and  opportunity  to 
testify  of  its  blessed  truths  to  my  fellow-sinners. 

"  Under  these  many  mercies  may  I  at  length  be  con- 
strained to  devote  myself,  and  all  I  am,  to  the  Lord,  far 
more  unreservedly  than  I  have  hitherto  done. 

"  I  have  been  struck  with  the  original  of  that  text ; — 
1  If  therefore  thine  eye  be  single,  &c.,'  as  implying  rather, 
if  thine  eye  be  bountiful  (dnlovg  See  2  Cor.  viii.  2 ;  ix.  11, 
13 ;  James  i.  5 ;  Rom.  xii.  8),  or  at  least  bearing  that 
sense,  which  the  context  seems  to  favor.  The  Lord  give 
me  this  bountiful  eye. 

"  In  considering  the  law  of  Moses,  it  appears  to  jne 
that  the  Jews  gave  one  fifth  of  their  property  in  tithes  to 
the  Lord,  in  three  kinds  of  tithes,  and  that  I  might  more 
systematically  and  largely  enjoy  the  blessedness  of  giving 
for  the  Lord's  sake.  May  my  God  give  me  grace,  from 
this  day,  to  practice  it  with  all  sums  which  I  hereafter  re- 
ceive. 

"  First  Tithe.  One  tenth  of  my  income,  Lev.  xxvii.  30. 
Mai.  iii.  10.  This  for  every  thing  relating  to  God's  truth, 
worship,  and  immediate  service. 

"  Second  Tithe.  Two  thirds  of  a  tenth.  Deut.  xiv. 
22-27  ;  xvi.  16.  This  for  the  social  happiness  of  others, 
and  their  enjoyment  in  God's  worship. 

"  Third  Tithe.  One-third  of  a  tenth.  Deut.  xiv.  28, 
29 ;  Lev.  xix.  9,  10.    For  the  poor. 

"  March  25.  Easter-Eve.  To-morrow,  I  hope  to  receive 
and  administer  the  Lord's  Supper.  May  it  be  blessed  to 
me,  and  to  many.  0  how  plain  it  is  I  have  to  go,  not  as 
holy,  but  as  sinful ;  not  as  righteous,  but  as  unrighteous. 
May  the  Lord  Himself  shine  on  me,  that  I  may  be  a 
blessing  to  others. 

"...  My  only  hope  is  in  judging  and  condemning 
myself,  that  I  be  not  condemned  with  the  world.  0  Lord, 
may  I  be  healed  by  Thy  stripes.  Apply,  by  thy  Spirit, 
Thy  wounds  to  my  heart  and  conscience,  that,  like  Job,  I 
may  hate  and  abhor  myself. 

"  I  wish  to  get  a  much  fuller  reading,  daily,  of  God's 


102 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


word.  Lord,  enable  me,  from  this  time,  to  practice  more 
this  precious  duty. 

"April  30.  Brought  through  my  journey,  in  God's 
mercy,  I  erect  a  fresh  Ebenezer  to  his  name.  What 
results  do  I  come  to,  in  looking  at  my  own  doings.  Sin 
mars  all  I  do— vile,  vile,  vile !  What  results  do  I  come 
to,  in  looking  at  God's  dealings?  Mercy  always  helps 
me.  'Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord,  therefore  will  He 
lead  sinners  in  the  way.' 

"  May  21.  I  attended  several  of  the  meetings  in  Lon- 
don, and  preached  for  the  Keformation  Society.  The 
Lord  pardon  and  bless.  We  have  since  had  two  meetings 
at  Hertford  and  Watton  for  building  the  Hebrew  church 
at  Jerusalem,  and  more  than  £50  was  contributed.  To 
God  be  praise." 

The  sermon  before  the  Reformation  Society  was  found- 
ed on  the  address  to  the  Church  of  Sardis,  as  a  rebuke  to 
the  actual  decay  of  faith  and  zeal  in  the  Protestant 
Churches.  It  is  marked  by  energy,  boldness,  and  simpli- 
city, and  recent  events  have  only  given  fresh  interest  to 
its  voice  of  warning  and  admonition.  One  paragraph  is 
like  an  anticipation  of  our  actual  state. 

"  While  we  slept,  the  enemy  has  been  busy  sowing 
tares,  and  the  tares  are  rapidly  multiplying.  The  plague 
of  Popery  is  spreading  through  the  camp,  and  it  is  need- 
ful to  make  haste  and  withstand  it.  Statistical  returns 
show  abundantly  the  increase  of  Papal  efforts  among  us, 
and  the  records  of  this  Society  furnish  fearful  evidence  of 
their  success.  Though,  outwardly  in  its  revenues,  Popery 
is  wasting  away  in  the  chief  countries  of  its  riches  and  in- 
fluence, the  zeal  and  energy  of  its  expiring  efforts  are 
worthy  of  a  better  cause.  It  is  said  that  '  the  Komish 
bishops  in  this  country  have  resolved  to  reconstruct  their 
Church  in  England  exactly  on  the  same  plan  as  before 
the  Reformation,  throwing  off  the  titles  of  Vicars  Apos- 
tolical, and  reviving  the  dignities  of  territorial  bishoprics.' 
Thus  does  Rome,  while  she  still  adheres  to  all  her  abom- 
inations, identify  herself  with  the  spirit  of  Edom  of  old, 


LETTERS. 


103 


which  said — '  We  are  impoverished,  but  we  will  return 
and  build  the  desolate  places.'  And  what  was  the  result? 
'  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  They  shall  build,  but  I  will  pull 
down  ;  and  they  shall  call  them,  The  border  of  wicked- 
ness, and,  The  people  against  whom  the  Lord  hath  indig- 
nation forever.' " 

The  plain  and  faithful  warning  of  this  discourse  served 
to  detect,  in  some  cases,  like  the  spear  of  Ithuriel,  the 
secret  tendency  to  Papal  doctrines,  in  those  who  were 
themselves  little  aware  on  what  slippery  ground  they 
already  stood.  One  clergyman,  tinged  with  "  Anglo- 
Catholic"  sentiments,  wrote  to  Mr.  Bickersteth  at  the  time, 
expressing  his  strong  disapprobation  of  the  Society,  and 
his  regret  at  several  statements  in  the  discourse,  as 
adapted  to  give  a  great  advantage  to  the  Romanists  in 
argument.  After  the  lapse  of  fifteen  years  he  is  unhappily 
himself  numbered  among  the  open  deserters  to  the  Church 
of  Rome. 

Amid  his  public  labors,  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  not  forget- 
ful of  his  duty  as  a  parent.  One  of  his  children,  now  at 
school,  was  always  very  delicate,  and  another  was  suffer- 
ing from  a  complaint  which  seemed  not  unlikely  to  occa- 
sion loss  of  sight.  The  following  notes  were  written  to 
them  at  this  time. 

March  1,  1837. 

My  dearest  F  ,  , 

Papa  has  a  great  many  sheep  scattered  far  and  wide  to  take 
care  of,  but  he  has  one  little  pet  lamb,  to  whom  he  must  try  to 
send  one  little  cup  of  milk  for  nourishment — not  of  the  body,  that, 
I  know,  is  full  well  taken  care  of — but  of  the  spirit,  which  requires 
constantly  "  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word." 

What  think  you,  love,  is  the  meaning  of  waiting  ?  It  is  not 
the  same  as  obtaining  :  it  is  not  the  same  as  having,  nor  is  it  just, 
the  same  as  hoping,  though  hope  be  the  ground  of  waiting.  It  is 
staying  for  something,  till  it  arrive,  or  be  given.  Some  things 
come  at  a  certain  time,  as  servant's  wages  when  due.  Other 
things  come  quite  unexpectedly  and  suddenly,  both  sad  things,  as 
your  falls,  and  good  things,  as  when  Mamma  came  to  Clifton. 
For  these  things  we  can  hardly  be  said  to  wait. 


104:  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


But  the  Lord  gives  us  His  grace  in  every  way,  and  our  right 
posture  is,  always  to  be  waiting  and  expecting  very  great  things 
from  our  gracious  God.  I  will  give  you  some  passages  that  show 
this  :  Psalms  lxii.  and  cxxx.  are  full  of  the  duty,  and  Isaiah  xl. 
28-3 1  is  very  plain ;  and  then  think  of,  yes,  and  get  by  heart 
those  precious  verses,  Lam.  iii.  22-33. 

Now  while  you  are  always  waiting,  you  will  be  always  receiv- 
ing. God  never  disappoints  those  who  look  to  Him,  and  He  de- 
lights to  give  more  in  prayer  than  we  think  of.  How  full  and 
rich  is  that  promise — "  Call  unto  me,  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and 
show  thee  great  and  mighty  things  which  thou  knowest  not," 
Jer.  xxxiii.  3. 

Only  see  to  it,  love,  that  you  are  really  delighting  in  the  Lord 
— that  you  have  such  a  Father,  so  glorious  and  so  good,  so  holy 
and  so  gracious,  so  rich,  and  yet  so  tender,  so  near,  and  yet  only 
to  be  seen  by  faith,  so  unsearchable,  and  yet  so  beautifully  mani- 
fest in  all  that  Jesus  was,  and  Jesus  did — in  whose  life  you  have 
the  very  inward  heart  of  God,  as  full  of  holy  love,  laid  open  to 
you,  and  to  all  sinners  whatsoever.  It  is  its  being  love  to  sinners, 
that  makes  it  such  precious  love  to  us. 

When  you  see  this,  you  get  to  hate  sin,  which  is  nothing  else 
but  rebellion  against  this  good  God ;  and  you  get  that  state  of 
mind,  in  which  our  God  can  wisely,  holily,  and  graciously,  give 
you  the  desires,  yes,  all  the  desires  of  your  heart.  See  how  these 
things  are  joined  together,  Psalm  xxxvii.  4,  delighting  in  God, 
and  all  our  wishes  gratified.  The  Lord  give  you  this  happy 
mind,  and  this  perfect  satisfaction. 

This  is  my  cup  of  milk — so  good-bye,  my  dearest. 

Your  own  Papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

My  dearest  C  ,  June  9-  I837- 

.  .  .  We  fully  hope,  if  it  please  God  our  heavenly  Father, 
that  you  will  be  well  enough  to  get  home  by  the  28th.  .  .  Wat- 
ton  Rectory  never  looked  more  beautiful  than  it  does  now,  and 
we  shall  be  glad  to  have  the  house  well  filled  with  all  our  be- 
loved children. 

In  considering  the  dangers  to  which  my  dear  child  is  exposed 
in  her  present  situation,  my  mind  is  chiefly  directed  to  her  spirit- 
ual temptations.    It  has  occurred  to  me  as  no  slight  one,  that 


LETTERS. 


105 


you  are  by  your  illness  made  an  object  of  sympathy  and  interest 
to  many.  Sympathy  is  so  delightful,  that  we  are  glad  to  get  it 
increased  in  any  way.  I  entreat  you,  then,  to  watch  against  this 
great  spiritual  danger.  Remember  how  our  Savior  acted,  when 
going  through  His  most  painful  crucifixion.  When  a  great  com- 
pany of  people  and  women  bewailed  Him,  He  did  not  indulge 
Himself  in  their  sympathy ;  but,  with  noble  disinterestedness, 
disregarding  His  own  sufferings,  turned  His  holy,  heavenly,  lov- 
ing heart  to  their  situation,  and  how  He  might  lead  them  to 
their  best  interest.  "  Weep  not  for  me,  daughters  of  Jerusalem, 
but  weep  for  yourselves."  I  find  continually,  my  love,  in  my 
own  heart,  how  great  and  constant  a  temptation  is  the  love  of 
men's  admiration,  and  the  desire  to  be  much  thought  of,  and  be 
an  object  of  interest  to  others.  It  is  only  weakened  by  contem- 
plating Jesus,  despised  for  our  sake,  and  His  follower,  Paul,  made 
an  offscouring  of  all  things,  that  we  might  have  the  gospel.  The 
Lord  give  us  this  spirit,  of  living  to  others,  and  not  to  ourselves, 
now,  and  always. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

E* 


CHAPTER  XX. 


ACCESSION  OF  THE  QUEEN — VARIOUS  "WRITINGS. 
A.  D.  1837—1839. 

The  session  of  1837,  which  had  been  one  of  great  na- 
tional interest,  from  the  balanced  state  of  political  parties, 
and  the  important  questions,  of  which  the  decision  seemed 
to  hang  in  suspense,  was  closed  abruptly  by  the  illness 
and  death  of  the  King.  It  was  a  period  of  deep  excite- 
ment and  much  anxiety  to  every  thoughtful  mind.  On 
June  19,  Lord  Ashley  wrote  to  Mr.  Bickersteth — "  We 
are  in  much  anxiety ;  the  King  is  given  over,  and  we  are 
all  awaiting  the  first  act  of  the  new  reign.  It  is  a  trying 
season,  for  turn  which  way  you  will,  there  is  nothing  but 
distress  of  nations,  and  perplexity,  men's  hearts  failing 
them  for  fear.  This  is  literally  true,  for  except  the  radical 
party,  '  quibus  quieta  movere,  magna  merces  videtur,'  I 
meet  no  one  who  is  not  full  of  misgivings.  The  intrigues 
of  the  courts  of  Elizabeth  and  Anne,  disgusting  and  in- 
jurious then,  would  be  destructive  now.  We  play  at  a 
higher  game,  and  in  more  perilous  circumstances.  The 
greatest  empire  of  civilized  men  that  the  sun  ever  shone 
upon,  is  to  stand  or  fall,  humanly  speaking,  on  the  will 
of  a  woman  barely  eighteen.  But  I  can  not  forget  that 
the  grace  of  God  has  been  wonderfully  exhibited  in  young 
and  royal  hearts.  I  love  to  think  of  the  good  Josiah, 
and  our  own  Edward  VI.,  Avhose  hearts  were  indeed 
disposed  and  turned  as  seemed  best  to  His  godly  wis- 
dom." 

Mr.  Bickersteth  shared  fully  in  these  natural  anxieties 
and  hopes,  connected  with  the  opening  of  a  new  reign. 


ACCESSION  OF  THE  QUEEN. 


107 


On  Sunday,  June  25,  he  preached  a  sermon  on  the  Queen's 
Accession,  from  Proverbs  viii.  14-17,  which  was  after- 
ward printed,  and  contains  a  simple  exposition  of  his 
own  principles,  with  regard  to  the  great  outlines  of  Chris- 
tian politics.  It  was  a  seasonable  testimony  to  the  great 
lessons  of  Divine  truth,  in  their  bearing  on  the  duty  of 
rulers,  and  the  prosperity  of  nations,  and  closed  with  an 
earnest  and  solemn  invitation  to  united  prayer  for  the  new 
sovereign,  who  had  been  placed,  at  such  an  early  age,  at 
the  head  of  so  vast  and  mighty  an  empire. 

The  personal  views  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  might  be  called 
moderately  conservative.  Occupied  with  the  great  and 
lasting  concerns  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  he  took  no  in- 
terest in  questions  of  mere  party  strife.  But  he  had  a 
deep  sense  of  the  true  dignity  of  government  as  a  Divine 
ordinance,  and  of  the  obligation  of  rulers  to  honor  Christ, 
the  true  fountain  of  all  power,  in  their  public  actions,  to 
make  the  word  of  God  the  primary  law  of  all  their  legis- 
lation, and  to  study  the  advancement  of  the  people,  not 
only  in  wealth  and  peace,  but  in  true  godliness.  He  de- 
plored the  divisions  of  Protestant  Christians,  not  only 
because  of  their  direct  evil,  in  strife  and  bitterness,  and 
the  hindering  of  works  of  love,  but  because  they  had  so 
powerful  a  tendency  to  help  forward  a  national  apostasy 
from  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  to  render  the  practical  rec- 
ognition of  Christianity  in  all  public  measures,  difficult, 
if  not  impossible.  These  views,  which  he  derived  at  an 
early  period  of  his  religious  experience,  from  the  direct 
study  of  the  word  of  God,  continued  unchanged  through 
all  the  stirring  changes  of  his  later  years,  when  many 
were  drifting  into  the  furthest  extremes  of  political  radi- 
calism, or  were  recoiling  from  its  dangers  into  the  pre- 
tended peace,  and  artificial  unity,  of  the  Church  of 
Rome.  He  believed  that  the  word  of  God,  in  its  main 
outlines  of  doctrine  and  practice,  was  a  clear  and  suffi- 
cient guide  to  statesmen  in  their  public  duties,  as  well  as 
to  the  private  Christian  in  every  walk  of  domestic  and  so- 
cial life. 


108  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


The  following  letter,  during  a  journey  to  Surrey  for  the 
Church  Missionary  Society,  alludes  to  some  of  his  multi- 
plied engagements  at  this  time. 

Godalming,  July  18,  1837. 

My  dearest  Birks, 

....  I  have  been,  as  usual,  fully  employed.  I  preached 
three  times  on  Sunday,  at  Godalming  and  Guildford,  from  2  Cor. 
iv.  15,  and  Isa.  xlii.  4,  and  they  seemed  to  impress  many.  I 
have  every  morning  here  a  congregation  at  family  prayers,  and 
every  evening  attend  a  meeting  for  the  Church  Missionary  Soci- 
ety, besides  meeting  all  day  long  with  one  and  another,  to  con- 
verse of  the  things  of  Christ. 

My  sermon  on  the  Q,ueen's  Accession  is  now  circulating,  and 
that  for  the  Reformation  Society  is  just  printed,  after  being  lost 
for  two  months.  May  its  temporary  death,  and  then  its  recovery, 
be  a  token  for  lasting  good. 

I  had  an  interesting  and  important  meeting  in  London,  when 
Mr.  Wybrow,  an  eminent  clergyman,  was  sent  to  Calcutta  from 
the  Church  Missionary  Society,  as  Secretary  of  its  mission  there. 
1  had  to  commend  him  in  prayer  to  the  God  of  missions,  even  the 
God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  doubt  not  He 
was  with  us  of  a  trnth.  .  .  .  May  He  far  more  abundantly  use 
us,  however  weak  and  unworthy  we  really  be,  to  the  good  of  His 
Church  and  our  fellow-men,  and  to  the  glory  of  His  own  great 
name.  0  that  we  may  diffuse  the  cheering,  holy,  and  happy 
light  of  his  own  precious  and  saving  truth,  and  so  rescue  many 
souls  from  darkness  and  misery  !  I  trust  He  has  led  me  more  and 
more  to  see  that  this  is  the  great  end  of  the  grace  given  to  us, 
that  we  may  have  the  fuller  glory  in  His  own  likeness,  here  and 
forever. 

"  July  29.  I  greatly  enjoyed,  in  a  solitary  ride,  com- 
munion with  my  God.  It  was  a  season  of  spiritual  joy 
and  peace  which  I  shall  not,  I  trust,  soon  forget.  O  that 
I  lived  more  with  God !  but  soon  I  fall  away,  and  all  is 
greatly  mixed  with  my  own  sinfulness. 

"  0  that  I  may,  in  eating  the  flesh  and  drinking  the 
blood  of  Christ  at  the  communion,  find  my  soul  strength- 


JOURNEYS. 


109 


ened  against  my  besetting  sins !  Lord,  give  me  a  broken 
spirit,  and  a  contrite  heart,  for  Christ's  sake." 

"  August  27 .  I  have  been  to  Dover  and  Canterbury, 
and  was  much  interested  in  going  over  Hooker's  Church 
and  residence  at  Bishop's  Bourne.  I  like  the  holiness  and 
comprehensiveness  of  that  devoted  Christian. 

"  October  1.  In  the  last  fortnight  I  have  been  to  Bur- 
slem,  Derby,  Newark,  Betford,  Tuxford,  Chesterfield,  Liv- 
erpool, and  Sapcote  for  the  Church  Missionary  and  Jewish 
Societies,  mercies  having  followed  me  all  the  way.  How 
gracious  the  Lord  has  been !  full  of  mercy,  grace,  and 
truth,  are  all  His  ways. 

"And  yet  how  contrary  I  walk  to  Him!  0  Divine 
Purifier  and  Redeemer,  what  a  work  I  give  Thee  to  do ! 
Fail  not,  faint  not,  in  purifying  my  soul." 

The  following  note  was  written  about  this  time  to  one 
of  his  children,  who  had  lately  left  school,  and  was  visit- 
ing some  friends. 

My  belovkd  Child, 

....  We  are  very  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  to  learn  how 
you  employed  your  time.  You  must  consider  that  you  are  still  at 
school,  only  in  another  class  :  till  we  get  to  heaven  we  are  all 
pupils  and  scholars.  .  .  .  There  is  the  school  of  Providence, 
which  includes  all  the  varied  events  of  life.  There  is  the  school 
of  the  family  circle,  where  we  learn  duties  to  parents,  brothers, 
sisters,  servants.  There  is  the  school  of  society,  where  we  learn 
the  duties  of  the  social  circle.  There  is  the  school  of  temptation, 
in  which  we  discover  our  own  weakness,  and  our  Savior's 
strength.  Now,  my  dear  child,  be  a  humble,  diligent,  and  pray- 
erful learner  in  all  these  schools,  and  so  you  will  be  fitted  for 
higher  usefulness  and  enjoyment,  here  and  hereafter.  .  .  . 

I  do  not  wonder  that  you  sometimes  find  prayer  a  burden,  and 
if  Satan  can  fill  your  mind  with  the  new  scenes  you  pass  through, 
he  will  thus  turn  your  affections  elsewhere  than  to  God.  This  is 
the  school  of  temptation.  Now  you  must  learn  your  Savior's 
strength,  as  well  as  your  own  weakness.  Look  much  to  Him. 
See  Him  pleading  and  interceding  for  you,  when  you  kneel  to 


110  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

pray,  and  this  will  be  a  great  help  to  the  feeling  of  prayer,  and 
will  enable  you  to  pray  with  confidence,  feeling,  and  affection. 

Your  ever  affectionate  Father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"November  22.  I  have  been  interested,  and  I  trust 
profited,  by  reading  the  new  volumes  of  Henry  Martyn's 
journals  and  letters.  Many  things  here  have  shown  me 
how  low  my  state  is.  I  was  particularly  struck  with  his 
seizing  all  opportunities  of  doing  good  in  journeys,  his 
time  given  to  private  prayer,  his  manifest  habit  of  con- 
stant prayer  in  all  things,  his  great  deadness  to  worldly 
ease  and  pleasure,  his  eminent  spirit  of  holy  devotedness ; 
and  especially,  his  prizing  Scripture  above  every  thing, 
and  his  enlarged  study  of  it. 

"  0  Lord,  my  God,  enable  me,  thy  most  sinful  creature, 
to  follow  him  in  these  things,  as  he  followed  Christ,  and 
to  abhor  myself  for  the  things  in  me,  opposite  to  this 
bright  example,  or  so  short  of  it. 

"Yet  I  can  not  but  think  there  was  a  spirit  of  bondage, 
in  some  degree,  in  Martyn's  service  of  God.  Compara- 
tively but  little  is  manifested  of  the  grace  of  the  Gospel ; 
and  where  there  is  set  forth  the  happiness  of  holiness,  and 
the  true  spirituality  of  a  Christian,  there  is,  perhaps  from 
natural  constitution,  despondency  and  depression,  hardly 
rising  to  the  standard — '  as  sorrowful,  yet  alway  rejoicing.' 
A  fuller  view  of  Divine  truth  would  have  raised  him  to  a 
happier  mind. 

"  December  25.  ...  I  have  been  publishing  a  Sermon, 
preached  at  Brighton,  on  the  '  Overflow  of  Grace,'  an 
'  Address  to  the  Jews  at  Liverpool,'  a  'Calendar  of  Les- 
sons,' and  No.  12,  of  '  The  Cottager's  Guide.'  My  Volume 
of  the  '  Christian  Fathers'  is  passing  through  the  press, 
with  a  new  and  enlarged  edition  of  the  '  Scripture  Help.' 
O  let  me  remember  the  words.  1  Thou  that  teachest 
another,  teachest  thou  not  thyself?'  Thy  books  thy  con- 
demnation— what  a  sentence  that  would  be!  0  Lord 
Jesus,  my  only  hope  is  my  self-condemnation,  that  I  may 


VARIOUS  WORKS. 


Ill 


win  Thy  righteousness  and  Thy  grace.  Thou  must  ap- 
prove the  just  acknowledgment  of  my  sin.  But  when 
shall  I  rise  out  of  it,  into  holy  love,  and  self-sacrifice,  and 
painful  labor  ? 

"  0  how  great  is  the  goodness,  long-suffering,  and  tender 
mercy,  of  Him  on  whom  I  depend !  O  that  I  may  lothe 
myself  for  the  abuse  of  so  much  grace  ! 

"  January  27,  1838.  We  have  been  passing  through 
an  affecting  season  of  death,  about  fourteen  in  two 
months,  several  in  the  higher  classes,  and  several  very 
sudden  ones  among  the  lower — two  children  burned  to 

death.    The  Lord  sanctify  it  to  the  people  here  I 

have  been  writing  important  letters  to  Paris,  a  Preface  to 
Hannah  More's  Life,  and  a  letter  about  the  1  Factory 
Children.' 

"  February  2L  My  '  Christian  Fathers,'  and  the  new 
edition  of  the  'Scripture  Help,'  have  just  been  published, 
I  have  been  deeply  engaged,  the  last  three  weeks,  in  pre- 
paring a  '  Treatise  on  Baptism,'  which  it  appears  to  me 
important  at  this  time  to  bring  before  the  Church.  May 
the  Lord  himself  assist  me  in  it,  for  the  edification, 
awakening,  and  conversion  of  men. 

"March  25.  I  have  in  the  last  month  been  preparing 
six  fresh  Chapters  of  my  '  Cottager's  Guide,'  No.  XIII- 
XVIII,  and  am  concluding  with  forms  of  prayer.  The 
Lord  make  it  a  blessing. 

"  I  set  off  to-morrow,  if  it  be  His  will,  on  a  long  jour- 
ney, to  Durham,  Newcastle,  Edinburgh,  Paisley,  Greenock, 
and  Glasgow.  O  for  grace  to  go  in  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
and  have  a  real  blessing. 

"But,  Lord,  help  me,  that  I  may  in  nothing  neglect  my 
own  vineyard — that  I  may  be  sincere  and  without  offense 
unto  the  day  of  Christ.  Keep  me  from  dishonoring  Thy 
name,  even  to  the  end  ;  and  let  me,  with  increasing  con- 
fidence, patience,  hope,  and  love,  be  waiting  for  Thy 
coming!" 

This  journey  to  the  North  is  described  in  the  following 
letter  to  one  of  his  children. 


112  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Greenock,  April  5,  1838. 

My  dearest  C  , 

Dear  Mamma  having  commissioned  you  to  write,  I  suppoge  I 
must  write  next  to  you,  and  I  begin  a  letter  here,  which  I  hope 
to  close  to-morrow  at  Glasgow,  and  to  find  there,  perhaps,  another 
from  home. 

My  time  at  Edinburgh  was  occupied  with  the  Society's  work 
from  hour  to  hour,  and  the  last  day  we  had  three  meetings, 
morning,  afternoon,  and  evening ;  and  they  wanted  me  to  prom- 
ise to  come  a  month  in  the  summer,  for  there  is  a  great  desire 
to  hear  of  the  things  of  Christ,  and  promote  His  kingdom.  The 
collections  came  to  near  £250,  greatly  exceeding  any  former 
year. 

Nothing  could  be  more  kind  than  the  Murrays ;  my  comfort 
was  studied  in  every  way,  and  I  had  every  possible  conveni- 
ence for  my  wants.  When  we  came  to  Paisley  yesterday,  things 
were  in  a  different  state.  The  Clergyman  was  ill  and  away. 
My  fellow-traveler  and  myself  had  to  sleep  at  a  dirty-looking  inn, 
in  the  middle  of  the  town.  We  had  to  grope  our  wa>,  to  the 
Clergyman's  house,  to  learn  what  we  had  to  do,  and  theie  took 
tea,  and  I  preached  in  a  Chapel  only  half  full.  All  this  was 
very  good  to  those  bad  old  gentlemen,  Pride  and  Self-sufficiency, 
that  sometimes  take  a  liking  to  be  in  your  Papa's  heart,  though 
he  would  gladly  turn  them  out ; — for  this  helped  to  do  a  lit- 
tle damage  to  those  bad  old  gentlemen.  After  the  sermon,  no 
one  invited  us  to  their  house,  so  we  went  back  to  the  inn,  and 
breakfasted  this  morning  ;  and  then  came  off,  first  by  a  rail- 
road, three  miles  to  Renfrew,  and  then  by  a  steamboat  twelve 
miles  hither,  where  we  find  a  much  warmer  and  more  hope- 
ful state  of  things.  So  we  have  ups  and  downs  in  our  journey- 
ings. 

I  addressed,  on  Wednesday,  six  hundred  young  persons,  eighty- 
five  of  whom,  from  the  address,  became  collectors  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  and  others  were  to  ask  their  Mammas  if  they 
might.  They  listened  for  a  whole  hour,  and  seemed  quite  in- 
terested with  Missions.  I  thought — what  are  my  own  dear  chil- 
dren doing  at  home  ?  Won't  it  be  sad  if  these  young  people  go 
beyond  my  own  ? 

But  I  shall  have  plenty  to  tell  you  of,  on  my  return,  should  it 
please  God  to  bring  me  back  in  safety  ;  and  hitherto,  all  the  way 


JOURNEY  TO  SCOTLAND. 


113 


has  been  one  unbroken  journey  of  mercies,  and  my  cup  has  run 
over  with  blessings. 

I  was  amused  to-day,  by  hearing  that  ono  who  had  been 
deeply  interested  in  my  books,  when  he  heard  I  was  coming 
to  Edinburgh,  said  : — Oh  I  thought  he  had  been  dead  long  ago  ! 
I  read  his  books  twenty  years  since,  and  numbered  him  with 
the  old  Fathers  of  the  Church  that  had  passed  away. — I  have, 
however,  to  be  very  thankful  to  the  Father  of  mercies,  for  being 
informed  of  several  instances  of  conversion  to  God,  through  read- 
ing the  "  Scripture  Help."  To  God  alone  be  praise,  for  any  good 
done  through  us. 

I  was  stopped  in  one  of  the  principal  streets  of  Edinburgh,  by 
a  nice-looking  elderly  woman,  who  said  she  must  speak  to  me. 
The  last  time  she  had  seen  me,  was  in  the  riding  house  at  Clon- 
mell,  when  I  addressed  a  regiment  of  soldiers,  with  Peter  Roe. 
I  remember  it  well  :  it  was  fifteen  years  ago,  and  she  had  never 
forgotten  it. 

We  were  surprised,  in  passing  through  Glasgow  yesterday, 
to  find  all  the  shops  shut,  like  Sunday.  It  is  the  case  twice  a 
year,  being  their  half-yearly  fasts  before  the  Sacrament.  The 
Churches  were  open,  and  Ministers  came  from  different  parts  to 
preach.  It  happens  unfavorably  for  the  Missionary  Society,  as 
the  Presbyterians  can  not  leave  their  own  Church  to  attend  the 
sermons  ;  and  some  other  things  are  trying  to  our  friends  at  Glas- 
gow, but  all  will  work  lor  good. 

...  I  shall  not  reach  home  till  late  on  Thursday — if  it  shall 
please  the  Lord,  on  whom  we  depend  for  life  and  breath,  and 
every  movement  we  make,  to  bring  me  to  you  at  that  time.  My 
heart  thirsts  for  home,  and  yet  God  has  so  prospered  the  journey, 
that  I  have  room  for  nothing  but  thanksgiving.  .  .  .  Love  to  all 
around  you.  The  Lord,  in  His  goodness,  bring  us  together  in 
peace. 

Most  truly,  your  own  Papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

II  April  15.  Through  the  Lord's  mercy  I  have  been  car- 
ried through  a  journey  of  nine  hundred  miles,  and  have 
preached  sermons,  or  attended  meetings,  at  all  the  places 
mentioned  above.  To  God  be  all  praise  for  innumerable 
mercies. 


114  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

"  May  27.  I  have  again  been  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society  to  Cambridge,  for  the  Loudon  Association  of  the 
United  Brethren,  to  London,  and  for  the  Jews'  Society  to 
Ipswich,  Woodbridge,  Saxmundham,  and  Lowestoft.  I 
returned  last  night.  The  Lord  has  been  very  gracious  to 
me,  a  sinner. 

"  The  Sermon  for  the  Moravian  Missions  is  printing, 
and  the  last  part  of  the  '  Cottager's  or  Family  Guide.' 
How  good  is  the  Lord,  to  permit  me  to  do  any  thing 
for  bringing  others  to  the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of 
His  love!  The  Lord  give  me  delight  and  joy  in  His 
holy  will  and  service ;  that,  as  it  is  my  only  real  and 
proper  happiness,  so  I  may  rise  to  partake  of  its  blessed- 
ness day  by  day. 

"  I  have  just  been  thinking  on  that  important  principle, 
— '  Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every 
man  also  on  the  things  of  others.'  May  I  know  that  this 
is  happiness,  as  well  as  usefulness.  I  want  to  find  my 
true  joy  in  my  most  self-denying  duties.  Lord,  give  me 
this,  that  the  joy  of  the  Lord  may  be  my  strength  in 
them. 

"  July  1.  .  .  I  have  found  much  comfort  latterly  from 
Bishop  Andrews's  Devotions,  in  the  original  Greek  and 
Latin  copy,  and  think  that  an  exact  translation  may  be 
useful  to  the  Church.  O  make  me  in  any  way  an  instru- 
ment of  good  to  my  fellow-men ! 

"  The  next  week  is  to  be  engaged  in  Missionary  Asso- 
ciations ;  the  Lord  use  me  and  bless  me.  0  I  feel  it  is 
our  privilege  to  be  kings  and  priests  unto  God.  May  I 
rise  to  the  fullness  of  this  blessing,  and  for  this,  end  wait 
more  closely  on  God.  All  good  must  begin  in  closer  and 
more  lengthened  communion  with  God — solid  time  given 
to  it,  and  this  as  time  redeemed. 

"  July  28,  1838.  It  pleased  God,  on  this  day  week,  to 
give  me  a  merciful  deliverance.  I  was  thrown  off  my  horse, 
over  its  head,  and  fell  on  my  back,  by  its  stumbling,  and 
yet  He  preserved  me.  I  have  indeed  been  much  bruised 
and  weakened,  and  kept  from  walking,  but  I  was  able  to 


JOURNEYS. 


115 


preach  on  Sunday  last,  and  to  journey  this  week  for  the 
Jews'  and  Church  Missionary  Society,  to  Aylesbury, 
"Wendover,  and  Chesham.  All  praise  be  to  my  heavenly 
Fathar,  for  protecting,  preserving,  and  sparing  grace.  .  .  . 

"Before  me  is  the  confirmation  of  the  young  of  my 
parish.  0  that  it  may  indeed  be  a  blessed  season  to  their 
souls,  and  to  my  own  dear  children. 

"August  25.  Through  the  mercy  of  God  I  am  recov- 
ered from  the  effects  of  my  fall,  and  as  well  as  usual.  0 
may  all  my  recovered  strength  be  used  for  God.  When 
I  look  at  my  standing  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  His  purity, 
and  my  own  formality,  I  can  enter  into  Job's  words,  and 
say  from  the  heart,  '  I  abhor  myself  Truly  I  have  rea- 
son so  to  do.  .  .  . 

"I  preached  for  the  Hertford  Infirmary  last  Sunday 
morning,  and  the  Sermon  is  now  printing.  The  Jews' 
Annual  Meeting  is  to  be  held  on  Monday,  which  closes 
our  annual  Herts  Meetings,  for  the  Bible,  Church  Mission- 
ary, Jews',  and  Tract  Societies. 

"  I  hope  to  admit  several  of  my  young,  who  were  con- 
firmed, to  the  Lord's  Table,  and  among  them  two  of  my 
own  children. 

"  My  correspondence  is  so  heavy,  that  I  am  quite 
hindered  in  getting  on  with  works  which  I  have  in  hand. 
But  let  me  serve  the  Lord  in  that  way  in  which  His 
providence  calls  me,  knowing,  that  His  workmanship  is 
unto  good  works. 

"  September  29,  1838.  Through  mercy  I  have  been 
preserved  and  blessed  in  a  long  journey  to  York,  for  the 
Jews'  Society,  and  am  brought  home  in  peace.  To  God 
be  all  the  praise. 

"  I  preached  twice  at  Brighton,  before  my  journey  to 
York,  and  attended  several  meetings." 

During  the  same  journey  he  wrote  the  following  letter 
to  his  children. 

York,  Sept.  22,  1838. 

My  dearest  Children, 
.  .  .  Through  God's  mercy  I  reached  Ware  before  the  mail 


116  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


arrived,  and  had  a  prosperous  journey  here  in  nineteen  hours. 
My  companions  were  rather  of  the  hunting  and  racing  class,  so 
that  I  was  left  to  my  resource  of  reading,  for  which  I  got  a  much 
longer  day  than  I  can  at  home. 

I  reached  here  about  five,  dined,  and  went  to  the  evening 
meeting,  and  much  enjoyed  seeing  the  many  valuable  friends 
whom  God  has  brought  me  to  know  here.  Mr.  Gray  is  quite  a 
monument  of  the  goodness  of  God.  He  hears  nearly  as  well  as 
when  he  was  a  child,  and  is  full  of  all  the  sprightliness  and 
cheerfulness  of  youth ;  he  is  a  perfect  patriarch,  presiding  yet 
over  all  that  is  good  in  York,  as  well  as  over  his  own  spreading 
family. 

But  oh  !  what  is  even  this  to  the  brighter  and  better  hope  the 
gospel  has  given  him — of  having  to  say,  of  a  glorious  company  in 
the  last  day, — "  Behold  I,  and  the  children  whom  God  hath  given 
me  !"'  May  this  too,  be  my  happy  portion,  my  dear  children ! 
Of  all  the  joys  God  gives  a  parent,  this  is  indeed  one  of  the  very 
highest.  "  I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my  children 
walk  in  the  truth." 

Our  meeting  last  night  was  of  a  more  private  and  social  kind 
— about  fifty  at  the  house  of  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Jews' 

Society.    I  had  a  little  friendly  discussion  with  Mr.  ,  who 

would  not  see  that  Isaiah  xi.  11,  belongs  to  the  future  restoration 
of  the  Jews  .  .  .  My  children  will  have  some  advantage  in  not 
having  to  contend  with  old  opinions,  through  which  their  father 
had  to  fight  his  own  way  to  the  truth  in  this  matter.  ...  I  long 
that  they  should  be  looking  for  that  great  day,  and  preparing  for 
it,  that  it  may  be  to  them  a  day  of  unspeakable  blessedness. 

I  could  not  look  around  on  our  friends,  and  see  how  many  had 
been  removed  since  I  first  came  here,  without  a  new  impression 
of  the  transitoriness  of  earthly  things,  and  the  infinite  importance 
of  redeeming  the  time  for  God,  and  laying  up  now  in  store  a 
good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come.  Let  us  plan  each 
day's  work  wisely,  sow  seed  widely,  keep  to  our  Master's  will  and 
work  steadily,  and  rejoice  all  the  day  in  His  grace  and  loving- 
kindness. 

I  see  nothing  to  hinder  my  return  to  you  at  the  time  we  ex- 
pected. May  our  God  be  glorified,  and  a  lively  zeal  for  His 
kingdom,  and  the  house  of  Israel,  be  excited  here  between  this 


BRIGHTON. 


117 


and  then,  by  your  father  and  his  fellow-laborers.  My  love  to  you 
all,  and  remembrances  to  the  servants. 

Your  own  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  October  27.  ...  I  trust  that  the  Lord  has  been  effec- 
tually working  in  the  hearts  of  two  of  my  children,  and 
leading  them  back  to  Himself.  0  may  He  maintain  this 
work  of  grace,  and  increase  it  continually,  by  fresh  sup- 
plies of  His  own  Spirit." 

This  autumn  the  illness  of  one  of  his  daughters,  who 
had  symptoms  of  decline,  rendered  the  sea-air  desirable, 
and  Mrs.  Bickersteth  and  one  of  her  sisters  accompanied 
her  to  Brighton.  They  were  hospitably  entertained  by 
General  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  who  had  lately  removed  from 
Watton,  after  a  residence  there  of  about  three  years,  in 
which  the  two  families  had  been  in  the  closest  intimacy. 
Some  notes,  occasioned  by  this  visit,  illustrates  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth's  private  intercourse,  as  a  pastor  and  a  friend. 

Watton,  Oct.  5. 

My  dear  General, 

How  can  I  thank  you  enough  for  all  your  kindness  to  my  dear 
wife  and  children,  and  the  love  with  which  you  received  us  to 
your  dwelling  !  May  multiplied  spiritual  blessings  be  imparted 
to  you  both,  and  all  your  anxieties  be  relieved,  and  turned  into 
blessings,  according  to  the  fullness  of  love  in  Him,  who  is  the 
Father  of  mercies,  and  God  of  all  comfort.  I  am  joyful  in  the 
thought  that  you  both  love  God,  and  therefore  all  things  must  in- 
fallibly and  omnipotently  work  together  for  your  good.  May  you 
ever,  in  this  precious  life-boat,  ride  above  the  stormy  waves  of 
this  transient  and  tumultuous  scene,  through  which  we  must  pass 
to  the  heavenly  kingdom.  .  .  . 

I  rejoice,  in  the  great  plainness  of  your  circular.    God  honors 

simple  truth.    Perhaps  for  the  sake  of  others,   's  name  was 

not  the  best;  but  I  never  did  any  good  without  making  some 
blunders,  to  keep  me  in  my  proper  place,  as  a  poor,  sinful,  de- 
pendent creature.    I  doubt  not  that  you  have  found  this. 

Hearty  love  to  Mrs.  M.    We  had  that  passage  this  morning — 


118  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts."  That  queen  of 
graces  is  ours  in  Christ. 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  Bicker steth. 

October  20. 

I  must  write  you  a  few  lines,  to  express  my  own  very  cordial 
thanks  for  all  your  kindness  to  my  dear  children.  ...  To  God, 
our  own  God,  be  praise  for  every  fresh  act  of  love  and  goodness, 
in  addition  to  myriads  on  myriads  that  we  have  already  received. 
The  chief  joy,  indeed,  to  a  parent's  heart,  is  the  spiritual  health 
of  his  children,  and  of  this  our  God  is  giving  us  some  sweet 
tokens.  But  we  must  rejoice  with  trembling,  that  we  may  re- 
joice forever. 

Again  and  again  I  mention  you  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
this  has  been  much  strengthened  by  your  kindness  to  ourselves 
and  our  children. 

October  27 

...  I  send  you  the  inclosed,  only  to  show  that  I  had  written, 
when  we  were  disappointed  of  a  frank  by  our  noble-minded  Lord 
Ashley's  removal  to  Shropshire.  I  hope  you  pray  for  him,  that 
he  may  be  a  blessing  to  our  country. 

Tell  Mrs.  M.  I  have  got  the  first  edition  of  "  M'Neile's  Lec- 
tures on  the  Advent,"  and  was  both  pleased  and  struck  with  the 
points  she  has  noticed.  My  heart  goes  very  much  with  dear 
M'Neile  in  his  views,  greatly  as  he  soars  above  me  in  the  noble 
powers  God  has  given  him,  and  his  use  of  them  for  the  Master's 
glory.  But  to  be  any  thing  for  Christ's  service  is  a  privilege 
indeed. 

November  17. 

My  dear.  General, 

I  must  thank  you  for  your  kind  letter.  .  .  .  We  trust  that  onr 
dear  child  may  yet  be  spared  to  be  a  blessing.  Our  other  chil- 
dren also  give  us  increasing  comfort.  How  can  we  be  thankful 
enough  to  the  Father  of  all  our  mercies  ? 

.  .  .  There  is  a  blessed  opening,  through  the  Societes  Evang. 
of  Paris  and  Geneva,  for  good  on  the  continent.  I  am  busy  pre- 
paring a  work  to  be  called  "  A  Voice  from  the  Alps,"  showing 
this.    It  is  now  in  the  press,  and  I  think  will  interest  you. 

0  that  we  had  you  here  again  !  We  want  to  form  a  Protes- 
tant Association,  but  we  want  hearts  as  well  as  Herts  ;  for  we 


VARIOUS  WRITINGS. 


119 


are  at  a  very  low  ebb  in  Protestantism  in  this  county  

M'Neile's  speeches  and  sermons  at  Hereford  were  most  admi- 
rable. I  quite  agree  in  his  views  of  Antichrist  applied  to  Popeiy, 
and  believe  that  to  be  our  stronghold  in  this  day  of  battle.  .  .  . 

How  often  we  think  of  you  with  affection,  I  need  not  say. 
Actually  having  been  with  you  gives  us  an  insight  into  your 
plans  each  day,  its  trials  as  well  as  its  joys.  All,  all  is  ordered  by 
the  wisest,  the  fullest,  the  most  comprehensive,  and  the  most  en- 
during love ;  the  furnace,  to  destroy  the  dross ;  the  green  pastures 
and  the  still  waters,  to  nourish  and  refresh  the  soul ;  the  wilder- 
ness, that  you  may  prize  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night ;  and  goodness 
and  mercy  marking  all  the  way  to  the  very  end.  Nothing  shall 
happen  to  you  but  what  is  best  in  the  eyes  of  infinite  wisdom 
and  boundless  grace.  Only  trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart : 
this  is  your  late  Pastor's  instruction,  dear  friends,  and  God  Al- 
mighty bless  you  both,  and  make  you  an  increasing  blessing  to  all 
around  you. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  November  25,  1838.  The  Lord  has  been  very  good  in 
enabling  me  to  complete  works  for  Him,  either  now  print- 
ed, or  in  the  press.  A  second  Edition  of  my  1  Christian 
Truth'  is  printed;  the  'Voice  from  the  Alps,'  and  the 
book  of  '  Private  Devotions,'  are  in  the  press,  and  the 
'  Treatise  on  Baptism,'  nearly  ready.  To  my  God  be  all 
praise  and  glory  for  all  His  goodness.  May  these  things 
be  profitable  to  His  church. 

"  0  Lord,  what  a  debtor  I  am  to  sovereign  mercy — that 
one  so  very  dead  and  formal  should  be  used  in  any  way 
for  Thee  —  what  grace  is  here !  What  treasures  in  an 
earthen,  most  earthen  vessel !  I  praise  Thy  name  alone 
forever,  j  Only  add  this  grace,  to  raise  me  out  of  the  form 
into  the  power,  out  of  condemning  others  into  condemn- 
ing myself,  out  of  selfishness  into  love.  I  Amen,  and 
Amen." 

The  "Voice  from  the  Alps,"  to  which  allusion  is  here 
made,  was  a  collection  of  several  discourses  of  Merle 
D'Aubigne,  at  the  Theological  School  of  Geneva,  with  re- 


120  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ports,  and  a  variety  of  information,  respecting  the  pro- 
gress of  the  Gospel  in  France  and  Switzerland.  It  was 
one  important  means  of  drawing  attention  to  the  wrork  of 
God  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  and  of  stimulating  that 
zeal  for  its  advancement,  which  issued,  not  long  after,  iu 
the  union  of  the  European  Society,  with  the  Central  Com- 
mittee for  French  Evangelization,  and  the  consequent  for- 
mation of  the  Foreign  Aid  Society. 

The  following  year  (1839)  saw  Mr.  Bickersteth  involved 
in  a  growing  pressure,  both  of  public  and  private  duties. 
Their  general  character,  however,  was  much  the  same  as 
before.  Early  in  January  he  was  called  to  address  a  num- 
ber of  his  brother  clergymen,  at  Islington,  on  the  dan- 
gers of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  his  remarks  were  soon 
afterward  published,  in  an  enlarged  form,  and  had  a  rapid 
and  extensive  sale.  In  March  he  journeyed  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  to  Manchester  and  many  other  towns 
in  the  north,  and  for  the  Jews'  to  Reading,  Wallingford, 
and  Abingdon.  In  April  he  took  part  in  opening  a 
Temporal  Relief  Fund  for  the  Jews,  and  in  labors  for  the 
Foreign  Churches.  In  May  he  preached  two  Anniversary 
Sermons,  for  the  London  City  Mission  and  the  Colonial 
Church  Society,  attended  and  spoke,  as  usual,  at  several 
of  the  other  meetings,  journeyed  to  Edinburgh  for  the 
Jews,  and  set  on  foot  a  Herts  Protestant  Association, 
preaching  a  sermon  on  its  behalf,  and  sustaining  nearly 
all  the  labor  of  its  practical  organization.  In  July  he  was 
occupied  with  a  variety  of  local  anniversaries  in  his  own 
county.  In  August  he  again  journeyed,  along  with  his 
two  eldest  children,  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  renewing  his  intercourse  with  some 
of  his  old  friends.  In  October  he  went  to  Cheltenham, 
Worcester,  and  Gloucester  for  the  Jews,  and  to  St.  Alban's 
for  the  Church  Missions.  In  the  interval  of  these  jour- 
neys he  was  occupied,  as  usual,  with  various  publications. 
Besides  the  "  Dangers  of  the  Church,''  and  his  three  Anni- 
versary Sermons,  he  was  much  occupied  in  revising  and 
enlarging  his  "Guide  to  the  Prophecies,"  of  which  the 


VARIOUS  WRITINGS. 


121 


seventh  Edition  was  published  in  August,  and  his  "Trea- 
tise on  Baptism"  was  also  finished  before  the  close  of  the 
same  year.  A  few  of  his  private  letters,  however,  will 
give  the  best  view  of  that  under-current  of  Christian  love, 
by  which  he  was  sustained  in  his  public  labors. 

February  14,  1839. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Smith, 

Thanks  be  to  our  gracious  God,  who  has  heard  our  prayers,  and 
given  you  another  pledge  of  His  confidence  and  love,  another  im- 
mortal plant  to  rear  for  His  heavenly  paradise.  .  .  . 

The  spiritual  state  of  my  own  dear  children  is  to  me  now  a  full 
fountain  of  grateful  emotions  and  daily  joy.  To  God,  my  God, 
be  all  glory !  It  is  a  joy  so  much  above  all  earthly  good,  that 
words  fail  to  describe  the  comparison.  0  may  you,  whom  God 
has  enriched  with  so  many  temporal  blessings,  have  the  far 
higher  joys,  which  only  His  grace  gives,  in  every  member  of  your 
family ! 

And  it  will  be  so,  if  the  main  principle  be  constantly  aimed 
at  in  practice,  to  seek  for  them  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness,  and  sacrifice  other  things  to  this  ;  which  indeed  is 
soon  found,  as  St.  Paul  shows,  to  be  no  sacrifice,  but  only  parting 
with  a  loss,  and  worse  than  loss.    Phil.  ii. 

We  opened  the  Church  last  evening,  being  Ash- Wednesday, 
and  had  a  large  congregation.  I  preached  on  Luke  xii.  56 — the 
Signs  of  the  Times.  I  deeply  feel  the  responsibility  of  the  office  of 
a  watchman,  in  such  days  as  these,  lest  the  Church  suffer  damage 
by  his  ignorance,  and  neglect  of  warning  with  that  earnestness  to 
which  God's  word,  and  the  events  of  these  days  call  us ;  and  yet 
the  great  blessedness  of  seeing  and  testifying  His  truth  as  a  faith- 
ful steward.  .  .  .  Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Liverpool,  March  14. 

My  dearest  Birrs, 

Thanks  for  your  useful  remarks  on  W.'s  letter,  and  Sir  F. 
Head's  narrative.  My  mind  and  heart  go  along  with  you  in 
both.  Oh !  may  we  have  wisdom  and  grace  clearly  to  discern 
the  Lord's  will,  and  faithfully  to  act  on  our  convictions,  amid 
all  the  darkness  and  difficulties  of  the  days  in  which  we  live. 

vol.  n. — F 


122 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


God  opened  great  doors  of  usefulness  before  me  at  Manches- 
ter, so  as  to  make  it  clear  to  me  that  He  was  with  me  in  the 
journey  ;  gave  me  acceptance  in  the  sight  of  His  people,  and 
a  great  opportunity  of  testifying  to  His  truth  amid  vast  con- 
courses of  people  in  these  large  towns,  Bolton,  Burnley,  Bury, 
Manchester,  Oldham,  and  Rochdale.  Everywhere  I  see  faith- 
ful ministers  multiplying,  and  doors  of  usefulness  opened.  .  .  . 

I  got  to  Liverpool  this  morning,  and  found  my  sister  and  her 
son  Edward,  very  poorly,  but  in  a  Christian  state  of  mind — 
so  good  is  our  God  in  affliction.  My  visit  was  treated  as  that 
of  a  messenger  of  mercy,  and  I  hope  has  been  found  a  real 
refreshment. 

I  have  since  called  on  M'Neile,  and  as  he  can  come  in  May,  I 
feel  disposed  to  wait  for  him.  The  Lord  himself  guide  and  direct. 
He  compelled  me  by  earnest  entreaty,  sore  against  my  will,  to 
preach  for  him  to-night ;  perhaps,  however,  the  Lord  may  have 
a  message  through  me  to  His  people.  Our  only  comfort  is  entire 
union  with  the  will  of  God.  .  .  . 

....  My  heart  is  much  with  my  dear  wife  and  children,  and 
parishioners.  May  spiritual  and  heavenly  blessings  without  num- 
ber be  given  to  you  all,  prays 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  illness  of  his  nephew  continued,  and  led,  after  his 
return  home,  to  the  following  letter. 

Watton,  April  i,  1839. 

My  beloved  K  , 

Much  have  I  thought  of  your  afflicted  chamber,  and  the  prayer 
on  the  other  side  will  show  I  have  not  been  unmindful  of  my 
promise  ;  amid  multiplied  occupations,  attending  a  journey  to 
Berkshire  for  the  Jews',  and  the  important  parish  duties  of  Eas- 
ter, as  well  as  the  many  things  which  are  now  before  me.  If  we 
can  by  love  serve  one  another,  we  are  truly  happy  in  a  work  our 
heavenly  Master  delights  in.  I  was  pressed  to  go  to  Edinburgh, 
to  form  a  Jews'  Society,  but  could  not,  and  have  engaged  to  preach 
two  of  the  annual  sermons,  for  the  London  City  Mission,  and  the 
Colonial  Church  Society. 

A  prayer  for  my  dear  sick  nephew. — Almighty  Father,  my 
heavenly  parent,  help  me  to  believe  that  Thou  dost  love  me,  fai 


LETTERS. 


123 


beyond  father  or  mother,  or  brother  or  sister ;  for  Thou  dost  not 
spare  Thine  own  Son,  but  deliver  Him  up  for  us  all,  and  Jesus 
died  on  the  cross,  to  put  away  all  my  sin.  Help  me  also  to  see 
and  feel  that  this  sickness  is  sent,  not  only  because  I  am  a  sinful 
child,  and  need  it,  but  also  because  Thou  dost  love  me  so  much, 
as  to  chastise  and  correct  me  for  my  good.  0  may  I  believe  this 
Thy  real  goodness  to  me,  and  so  neither  despise  Thy  chastening, 
nor  faint  and  be  weary  under  it ;  but  give  glory  to  Thee  my 
Father,  by  saying  from  the  heart,  and  at  all  times — I  delight  to 
do  and  to  suffer  Thy  will,  0  my  God.  If  it  be  Thy  will,  make 
me  and  my  dear  sick  mother  quite  well  again,  that  we  may  joy- 
fully praise  Thee,  and  be  made  useful  by  telling  others  how  good 
Thou  art,  our  God ;  that  they  also  may  know  and  rejoice  in  Thy  lov- 
ing-kindness. Thus  may  we  be  accepted  of  Thee  now,  and  finally 
meet  all  Thy  true  servants,  in  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
when  He  shall  come  again,  and  receive  us  to  Himself.  Hear  me 
for  His  great  name's  sake. 

The  following  note  alludes  to  a  liberal  donation  received 
for  the  building  of  a  Church  on  Mount  Zion,  an  object  in 
which  Mr.  Bickersteth  took,  as  was  natural,  a  most  lively 
interest. 

Watton  Rectory,  April  17 

My  dear  General  Marshall, 
Many  thanks,  first  to  the  Lord,  and  then  to  you,  for  your  bounty 
for  the  poor  Jews.  That  letter  has  stirred  up  many.  I  received 
£20  yesterday  for  the  same  object.  To  God  be  glory  !  It  will 
be  a  new  day  to  Jerusalem,  and  I  long  for  wings  like  a  dove,  to 
fly  and  tell  Nicolayson  and  Young.  God  has  done  it  beyond  all 
my  thoughts. 

How  I  wish  I  could  write  fully  to  you,  but  the  pressure  on  me 
now  is  prodigious.  I  was  at  Bristol  and  Bath  last  week,  I  have 
a  Protestant  Association  before  me,  and  continual  meetings,  pub- 
lic sermons,  &c,  till  May  14,  when  I  expect  to  go  to  Edinburgh 
for  the  Jews.  Only,  dear  friends,  ask  for  me  that  the  Lord  may 
be  glorified  in  me  and  by  me,  the  souls  of  others  blessed,  and  my 
own  soul  preserved  and  sin  destroyed.  The  Lord  himself  give  to 
you  both  richly  the  same  blessings.  I  do  indeed  sympathize  with 
you.    Love  from  all  here. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  Bickersteth. 


124  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


" March  31.  Easter  Sunday.  The  Lord  carried  me 
safely  and  with  a  blessing  through  my  journeys — all  glory 
be  to  His  name.  How  sweet  it  is  to  give  glory  to  my 
God,  and  my  emptiness  and  vileness  may  well  make  me 
glory  in  Him  alone. 

"  My  dearest  E.  goes  this  day,  for  the  first  time,  to  the 
Lord's  table.  0  may  it  be  a  season  of  great  grace,  help, 
light  and  love  to  his  soul !  What  thanks  above  measure 
I  owe  to  my  God  for  His  grace  to  my  dear  children,  see- 
ing it  is  wholly  His  work,  beyond  all  my  thought^  and 
any  means  I  have  used. 

"  I  do  earnestly  seek  of  my  God  grace  for — more  fer- 
vent and  full  private  prayer  and  intercession — more  dili- 
gent, constant,  and  extensive  visiting  in  my  parish — 
more  daily  habits  of  self-denial  in  ordinary  things — more 
real  communion  with  God  in  all  my  duties  and  occupa- 
tions— more  enlarged  blessedness  in  my  talents,  for  the 
good  of  others.  ...  I  fly  to  Christ.  0  now  give  me 
resurrection-blessings,  Col.  iii.  1-4,  this  day,  I  entreat 
thee." 

"  April  28.  I  went  to  town  this  week,  to  assist  in 
opening  a  Temporal  Relief  Fund  for  the  Jews,  and  in  the 
Central  Committee  of  the  Evangelical  Societies.  The 
Lord  assisted  me,  blessed  me,  and  humbled  me.  It  is 
good  to  lie  in  His  hands  altogether. 

"Another  week's  arduous  duties  are  before  me.  O 
Lord,  direct,  strengthen  and  bless !  I  am  feebleness  it- 
self— I  am  full  of  sinfulness — I  am  nothing.  Be  all  in 
all,  O  Christ,  that  by  Thee  such  a  worm  may  be  blessed 
and  a  blessing. 

"  The  love  to  me  of  Christian  friends,  of  varied  and 
opposing  sentiments,  is  wonderful.  Little  do  they  know 
the  inward  defects  under  which  I  groan.  0  Lord,  I  am 
oppressed,  undertake  for  me." 

The  sermon  for  the  City  Mission  was  undertaken  under 
circumstances  which  involved  some  self-denial  and  moral 
courage.  The  Society  was  still  in  its  infancy ;  and  its 
mixed  constitution,  with  a  Committee  half  of  Churchmen, 


JOURNEYS. 


125 


and  half  of  Dissenters,  exposed  it  to  much  odium  from 
high-churchmen,  and  considerable  suspicion  and  fear,  even 
from  many  of  the  evangelical  clergy.  It  added  much  to 
the  difficulty  of  the  task,  that  the  Bishop  of  London,  since 
the  last  Anniversary,  had  forbidden  sermons  to  be  preached 
for  it  in  any  of  the  churches  of  his  diocese  ;  following,  no 
doubt,  his  own  sincere  conviction  respecting  his  official 
duty.  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  fully  alive  to  the  weight  of 
these  reasons,  which  might  have  deterred  him  from  plead- 
ing its  cause.  He  had  a  deep  and  habitual  respeGt  for  epis- 
copal authority  ;  not  the  less  sincere  and  practical,  because 
it  was  ever  made  subordinate  to  the  claims  of  Divine  truth, 
and  never  prompted  him  to  speak  of  them,  with  flattering 
words,  as  inspired  apostles,  with  a  miraculous  halo  around 
their  brows.  He  was  also  aware  of  the  influence  he  had 
gained  among  his  brethren,  and  the  great  duty  of  not  sac- 
rificing lightly  so  precious  a  talent.  But  he  had  an  emi- 
nent measure  of  straightforward  singleness  of  purpose, 
where  the  path  of  duty  seemed  to  him  to  be  plain.  In 
writing  on  "  the  Dangers  of  the  Church,"  his  attention  had 
lately  been  drawn  to  the  spiritual  destitution  of  London, 
and  his  soul  had  been  stirred  within  him,  like  St.  Paul's 
at  Athens,  by  the  view  of  nearly  a  million  of  habitual 
sabbath-breakers,  in  the  metropolis  of  a  nominally  Chris- 
tian land.  He  felt  it  the  clear  duty  of  all  who  loved  the 
Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity,  to  grapple  with  this  fearful  evil, 
and  so  far  as  was  practicable,  to  unite  in  laboring  against 
it,  and  to  tread  under  foot  their  mutual  jealousies,  in  the 
presence  of  this  appalling  mass  of  iniquity,  so  ruinous  to 
souls,  and  dishonoring  to  their  common  Savior.  As  a 
Churchman,  he  felt  persuaded  that  the  more  the  Church 
of  England,  its  bishops  and  its  clergy,  cared  simply  for  the 
things  of  Christ,  and  the  salvation  of  dying  sinners,  the 
more  surely  would  Christ  himself  espouse  their  cause  as 
His  own.  The  means  employed  by  the  Society,  in  his 
opinion,  were  scriptural  and  lawful,  the  object  unspeaka- 
bly important,  and  the  union  of  Christians  in  the  work,  so 
far  as  it  was  practicable  without  direct  collision  or  compro- 


126  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


mise,  highly  desirable.  With  these  convictions  he  com- 
plied with  the  earnest  wish  of  the  Committee,  and  preached 
on  May  2,  at  St.  John's  Chapel,  Bedford  Kow,  their  An- 
nual Sermon,  from  the  closing  verses  of  Jonah's  prophecy. 
One  or  two  notes  written  at  the  time  will  throw  light  on  his 
feelings  and  motives. 

Watton  Rectory,  Feb.  20. 

My  dear  Garwood, 
Though  it  is  not  a  situation  that  I  should  have  voluntarily 
chosen,  and  I  feel  the  deep  responsibility  of  it  before  the  Church 
of  God,  I  dare  not,  in  the  present  state  of  London,  refuse  to  use 
any  powers  that  the  Lord  may  have  given  me  in  His  Church,  to 
promote  the  salvation,  in  a  truly  Christian  way,  of  so  many  des- 
titute souls,  so  very  near  to  us,  and  with  such  affecting  claims 
upon  us. 

Expecting,  therefore,  much  blame  and  reproach  from  man, 
and  diminished  usefulness  in  some  quarters,  where  another 
course  might  have  given  me  access,  I  will,  God  helping  me,  yet 
preach  your  Annual  Sermon.  It  appears  to  me  that  if  I  can,  as 
a  minister  of  the  Established  Church,  conscientiously  support  you, 
now  is  especially  the  time  in  which  that  support  is  due  to  the 
Society. 

I  trust  to  have  the  united  prayers  of  the  friends  who  conduct 
your  proceedings,  that  the  Lord  may  guide  me  to  that  view  and 
statement  of  His  truth,  which  may  be  a  real  blessing  to  His 
Church,  and  help  forward  the  great  work  which  the  Society  has 
been  established  to  accomplish. 

Any  statements  that  you  can  give  me  I  shall  be  thankful  to 
receive.  I  have  to  journey  nearly  a  thousand  miles  for  the 
Church  Missionary  and  Jews'  Societies,  with  a  vast  weight  of 
work  besides,  before  the  May  meetings,  .but  the  Lord  will 
strengthen  and  provide. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

April,  1839. 

My  dear  Garwood, 
I  am  getting  on  as  well  as  I  can  amid  a  mass  of  other  work, 
but  a  good  deal  of  information  is  yet  wanting.    A  fuller  account 
of  Socialism  than  in  my  Tract  "  The  Dangers,  &c,"  would  be 


CITY  MISSION. 


127 


important.  Also,  some  idea  of  the  neglect  of  God  in  the  higlvcr 
classes. 

Has  the  Society  a  copy  of  "  The  Great  Metropolis,"  and  could 
they  lend  it  me,  or  if  not,  where  can  it  he  bought  ? 

Very  much  of  London  has  yet  to  be  brought  out  into  full  view. 
I  want  to  learn  its  wealth,  if  there  be  any  means  of  getting  at  it, 
which  I  suppose  there  are.  We  must,  if  possible,  make  a  great 
impression,  that  will  swallow  up  all  these  little  cavils,  that  come 
round  about  me  like  bees  on  every  side,  just  as  if  I  had  commit- 
ted some  great  crime  ;  suffering  trouble  (though  not  as  the  Apos- 
tle, to  bonds)  as  an  evil-doer ;  on  which  I  was  preaching  yester- 
day.   2  Tim.  ii.  8-10. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
Edinburgh,  May  19. 

My  dear  Garwood, 

Thanks  for  your  kind  attention  in  sending  me  the  sermon ;  it 
enabled  me  to  put  it  into  several  influential  hands  on  my  way 
here.  Remember  who  went  through  evil  report  and  through 
good  report,  and  let  us  be  thankful  for  our  portion  of  both. 

I  by  no  means  meant  to  condemn  only  the  present  Government 
at  the  public  meeting  of  the  Tract  Society,  and  much  regret  not 
stating  the  decided  ground  I  took,  whoever  governed.  Though, 
on  the  whole,  I  go  nearer  the  conservatives,  as  believing  their 
views  of  politics  nearer  the  Scriptures,  I  am  deeply  aware  how 
much  is  to  be  condemned  on  their  side  also.  I  would  stand  on 
the  word  of  God  only,  and  in  condemning  any  Government  act, 
would  do  it  only  in  the  spirit  of  faithfulness  which  has  ever 
marked  the  servants  of  the  Most  High,  like  Elijah,  Daniel,  John 
the  Baptist,  and  Paul — but,  oh  !  how  far  short  we  fall ! 

I  am  glad  you  sent  the  sermons  as  "  from  the  author."  I  am 
not  ashamed  of  the  path  in  which  I  trust  the  Lord  has  led  us. 
.  .  .  God  strengthen  us  and  bless  us  in  His  work.  Much  to  be 
done,  while  here,  for  Him  in  the  Jews'  Society. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  May  26.  Of  what  mercies  have  I  to  sing !  How 
good  has  my  God  been  in  using  me  for  His  glory,  and  for 


128 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


benefit  to  my  fellow-men !  I  can  not  be  too  grateful  for 
His  love  in  carrying  me  through  duties,  and  blessing  me 
and  others  in  them.  Notwithstanding  all  my  sinfulness, 
I  have  been  blessed  in  my  sermons — carried  through  my 
work  in  Scotland,  and  brought  back,  encompassed  with 
blessings,  to  my  own  beloved  home.  0  make  me  faithful, 
under  so  much  love,  to  Him  who  hath  so  loved  us !" 

Cheltenham,  Oct.  8. 

My  beloved  Child, 
...  I  left  home  on  Friday  evening,  slept  in  London,  and 
came  on  the  next  day,  through  Oxford  and  Cheltenham,  to  Wor- 
cester late  at  night.  I  preached  for  the  Jews  in  two  of  the 
principal  churches  to  large  congregations,  and  on  Monday  we 
had  two  important  meetings.  It.  was  very  pleasant  to  meet 
many  old  friends.  I  believe  it  is  ten  or  twelve  years  since  I 
have  been  at  Worcester,  and  there  have  been  great  changes. 
Some  devoted  servants  of  Christ  have  been  removed  by  death, 
and  others  by  Providence  ;  but  God  has  more  than  made  up  by  a 
large  accession  of  fresh  laborers  ;  and  though  I  see  many  new 
faces,  some  of  the  older  friends  remain,  as  links  of  interest  and 
affection. 

It  is  so  here  at  Cheltenham  :  through  mercy  I  find  old  friends, 
and  many  a  fresh  one  beside.  Two  or  three  Wheler  Chapel 
associations  are  here  revived.  How  can  we  be  grateful  enough 
to  God,  my  child,  for  being  called  early  to  Christ,  and  enabled 
early  to  testify  His  truth  !  there  is  such  a  growing  blessedness 
in  His  ways.  Two  of  my  Wheler  congregation  are  fixed  here, 
who  trace  their  spiritual  blessedness  to  the  Lord's  grace  on 
my  ministry  there.  Glory  to  God  alone  for  the  least  good  that 
has  been  done.  But  let  us  learn  to  be  diligent  in  seizing  oppor- 
tunities, and  zealous  to  bring  souls  to  Jesus,  while  we  have 
time. 

...  I  should  wish  to  be  quiet  and  hidden,  and  I  am  perpet- 
ually brought  before  the  public.  There  is  a  strong  letter  to  me 
in  the  Peace  Herald,  about  my  remarks,  in  the  Dangers  of  the 
Church,  on  the  Peace  Society,  in  which  the  writer  says,  he  could 
weep  over  me  for  my  sad  change  since  writing  the  Christian 
Student,  Treatise  on  Prayer,  &c,  and  that  because,  in  truth,  I 
have  justified  the  word  of  God  against  the  perversion  of  men, 


TREATISE  ON  BAPTISM. 


129 


who  deny  defensive  war  to  be  according  to  the  will  of  God.  But 
if  we  would  maintain  all  God's  truth,  we  can  not  fail  of  provok- 
ing the  enmity  not  only  of  the  wicked,  hut  also  of  some  of  God's 
children,  who  do  not  see  this  or  that  truth  in  particular.  I 
shall  get  as  little  into  controversy  as  possible,  that  I  may  pursue 
more  practical  and  profitable  work.  I  long,  like  my  dearest 
brother,  to  be  more  thoroughly  a  parochial  minister,  seeking  con- 
tinually the  spiritual  good  of  those  specially  committed  to  my 
charge,  and  I  trust  you  will  bring  back  many  a  useful  hint  for 
the  good  of  Watton. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  October  26.  The  impediment  I  find  in  journeying  is 
this — it  makes  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  keep  up  constant 
visitation  in  my  parish  ;  the  links  are  broken,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  re-unite  them. 

"  0  Lord,  forgive  me  my  great  neglects,  and  direct  my 
conscience  always  aright,  in  discerning  things  that  differ, 
and  following  that  which  is  pleasing  to  Thee !  Let  not 
the  devil  keep  me  in  doubt  and  darkness  about  the  path 
of  duty ;  but  may  I  ever  do  that  which,  I  am  fully  per- 
suaded, Thou  wouldst  have  me  to  do. 

"  I  have  sent  seven  chapters  of  the  '  Treatise  on  Bap- 
tism' to  press.  0  Lord,  help  me  to  clear  away  mists 
from  men's  minds,  that  hinder  the  bright  shining  of  the 
sun  of  righteousness,  and  the  sweet  descent  of  Thy  heav- 
enly grace. 

"  When  I  look  around,  I  am  ready  to  exclaim — Never 
was  any  one  so  great  a  debtor  to  God's  mercy  and  love 
as  I  am.  My  sweet  family,  full  of  love  to  me  and  to 
each  other,  and  all  springing  from  the  grace  of  Christ ; 
my  dear  wife  heading  them,  and  helping  them  in  the 
best  things ;  and  my  four  eldest — as  well  as  my  three 
servants — going  to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  others,  I 
trust,  preparing  for  it ;  my  beloved  fellow-laborer,  a 
constant  help  and  comfort,  and  the  two  pupils  coming  on 
in  the  best  things ;  the  number  of  attendants  and  com- 
municants in  my  parish  multiplying;  my  patron  sup- 

F* 


130  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

porting  two,  and  nearly  supporting  a  third  school  in  my 
parish.  0  my  God,  what  do  I  owe  Thee  for  such  wholly 
undeserved  blessings  here,  as  well  as  for  using  me  in 
any  way  to  do  more  extensive  good !  Thy  mercies  can 
never  be  numbered ;  and  it  is  Thy  delight,  as  well  as 
our  blessedness,  that  we  should  correspond,  and  rise  to  the 
fullness  of  Thy  love,  in  seeking  to  be  a  blessing  to  others. 

il  I  beseech  Thee,  quicken  me  now  according  to  Thy 
loving-kindness.  Lord,  I  covet  the  joy  of  being  a  large 
blessing  to  others.  Make  me  willing  and  glad  to  give 
the  cost  for  so  great  a  prize,  as  bringing  others  with  me 
to  Thy  heavenly  kingdom  ! 

"  November  24.  In  explaining  Phil.  ii.  15-23,  I  have 
been  led  to  see  that  much  of  '  not  seeking  our  own  but 
the  things  of  the  Lord  Jesus,'  may  be  in  giving  up  home- 
comforts,  and  being  willing,  from  a  view  of  the  larger 
interests  of  Christ,  to  leave  an  immediate  and  more  con- 
tracted circle  of  duties,  for  the  wider  and  fuller  service  of 
the  Lord,  when  He  calls  us  to  it ;  and  to  go  through  the 
self-denying  work  of  journeying.  O  Lord,  make  me  one 
entire  self-surrender  and  consecration  to  Thyself!  Give 
me  this  happiness — Thy  will  wholly  mine. 

"  Yet  must  not  home  duties  be  neglected.  Here  is  my 
snare — self-indulgence  in  drinking  in  new  thoughts  from 
books,  instead  of  pouring  out  acquired  truths  into  the 
hearts  and  minds  of  my  people.  I  do  not,  in  spiritual 
things,  act  on  that  promise,  '  Give,  and  it  shall  be  given 
unto  you.'  0  had  I  not  a  most  compassionate  High 
Priest,  what  would  become  of  me?  Blessed  Jesus,  be 
my  refiner  and  purifier ;  give  me  new  refreshment  and 
strength  in  a  believing  view  of  Thy  death  for  my  sins. 

"  December  25.  Another  year  nearly  closes — a  year  of 
many  mercies.  The  printing  of  my  work  on  Baptism  is 
now  completed.  The  Lord  bless  it  to  the  peace,  holiness, 
and  comfort  of  His  Church,  and  the  enlargement  of  His 
kingdom.  O  that  it  may  also  be  personally  blessed  in 
raising  my  own  soul  to  higher,  holier,  and  fuller  views  of 
that  blessed  ordinance !  .  .  . 


CLOSE  OF  1889. 


131 


"  The  new  postage  has  greatly  increased  my  corres- 
pondence, and  the  applications  for  help ;  and  I  can  not 
tell,  in  many  a  case,  whether  I  am  justified  in  my  course. 

0  Lord,  make  me  a  large  blessing  to  my  fellow-men! 
Make  me  willing,  for  this,  to  sacrifice  joyfully  what  Thou 
hast  given  me ;  and  give  me  discernment  to  know  what 

1  ought  to  do,  so  as  most  effectually  to  advance  Thy 
blessed  kingdom,  of  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost !" 

With  this  prayer  ends  the  private  Diary  of  1839.  It 
was  graciously  heard  and  abundantly  answered,  until  the 
hour  of  his  removal  to  the  heavenly  kingdom. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


VISIT  TO  WESTMORELAND — ILLNESS 
A.  D.  1840, 1841. 

The  reduction  of  the  postage,  in  January,  1840,  amid 
its  many  results,  affected  in  some  measure  the  character 
of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  employments,  and  limited  his  time 
for  direct  study  and  composition,  while  it  enlarged  the 
sphere  of  his  correspondence.  The  confidence  so  widely 
reposed  in  him,  and  the  publicity  resulting  from  his  jour- 
neys and  publications,  led  to  daily  applications  for  advice 
in  difficulty,  or  for  aid  in  various  works  of  Christian  be- 
nevolence. In  a  note  to  two  of  his  children  he  thus  alludes 
to  the  change  : — 

January  1,  1840. 

My  beloved  Children, 

The  fruit  of  the  penny  postage,  on  its  first  day,  must  come  to 
my  children,  if  only  to  express  a  father's  love.  .  .  . 

This  is  the  twelfth  letter  sent  off  to-day.  This  change  will,  at 
any  rate,  increase  my  correspondence.  God  grant  it  may  equally 
increase  my  usefulness  :  but  there  is  great  danger  of  work  thrust- 
ing out  God,  instead  of  being  for  God,  and  leading  the  heart  more 
to  Him. 

Well,  children,  be  happy  all  the  day  long  in  God's  love,  and 
then  spread  it  as  far  and  as  wide  as  you  can.    God  bless  you. 

In  a  note  written  a  few  days  later,  he  observes  : — "  As 
to  poor  Bythner,  it  is,  as  you  say,  buried  in  letters.  An 
hour  goes  in  reading,  and  at  least  three  in  answering  them. 
Then  the  afternoon  visiting,  and  evening  meetings,  leave 
hardly  any  time  for  study,  or  any  thing  but  what  is  ne- 


LABORS. 


133 


cessary  to  be  done.  I  had  no  idea  that  the  new  post  would 
so  alter  my  duties.  Yet  a  great  sphere  of  usefulness  is 
thus  opened. 

"January  26.  The  penny  postage  since  Jan.  1,  has  so 
increased  my  work  that  a  considerable  part  of  each  day 
has  now  to  be  given  to  correspondence ;  only,  0  Lord,  let 
it  be  to  Thy  glory. 

"  I  trust  that  there  has  been  a  little  revival  in  attention 
to  my  primary  duties,  since  the  beginning  of  this  year.  O 
Lord,  increase  it !  O  Lord,  carry  it  forward  in  every  thing 
— in  my  own  body  and  soul,  studies  and  labors,  wife  and 
children,  parish,  relatives,  friends,  church  and  country,  to 
Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  all  over  the  earth.  May  God  be 
glorified  iu  every  thing." 

The  labors  of  the  year,  as  usual,  were  abundant.  In 
February  he  preached  twice  at  Clapham  for  the  French 
Protestants,  and  once  for  the  Church  Missions — and  the 
first  of  these  discourses  was  published  soon  after.  Early 
in  March,  he  visited  Oxford  for  the  Jews'  Society.  On 
April  21,  he  preached  the  annual  sermon  for  the  Protes- 
tant Association  ;  and  about  the  same  time  prepared  a  long 
article  for  the  "  Protestant  Annual,"  on  the  "  Church's 
Trials  and  Deliverance,"  which  was  enlarged  for  separate 
publication.  In  May,  he  traveled  for  the  Church  Mission- 
ary Society  to  Liverpool,  Preston,  and  Wigan ;  and  on  his 
return,  preached  in  London  for  the  Home  and  Colonial 
Infant  School  Society.  On  June  8,  he  set  out  for  Ireland, 
where  he  preached  and  attended  meetings  for  the  Jews  at 
Dublin,  Cork,  and  Limerick.  In  July,  besides  taking  part 
in  three  or  four  local  auxiliaries,  which  he  had  set  on  foot 
in  his  own  county,  he  had  another  Missionary  journey  to 
Dover  and  Canterbury.  In  August,  he  set  out  with  his 
whole  family  on  a  long-deferred  visit  to  Westmoreland,  his 
native  county.  But  this  could  hardly  be  called  a  time  of 
relaxation.  During  his  absence  of  six  or  seven  weeks,  he 
visited  Carlisle,  Penrith,  Keswick,  Durham,  Lancaster,  and 
Settle ;  and  preached  in  all  these  places,  as  well  as  several 
others,  for  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  the  Pastoral  Aid  So- 


134  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

ciety.  In  October,  soon  after  his  return,  he  was  engaged 
at  the  same  time  in  the  publication  of  three  works,  a  vol- 
ume on  the  "  Restoration  of  the  Jews,"  another  of  "  Devo- 
tions," compiled  from  his  own  practical  writings,  and  a 
new  edition  of  a  "  Harmony  of  the  Gospels."  Till  the 
close  of  the  year,  he  was  occupied  with  these  works  and 
his  parochial  duties,  with  attendance  on  several  very  im- 
portant committees  in  London,  when  the  Foreign  Aid 
Society  was  constituted,  and  a  laborious  and  very  discur- 
sive correspondence.  Application  was  made  for  his  help 
this  year  from  the  London  City  Mission,  the  Protestant 
Association,  the  Colonial  Church,  the  British  Reformation, 
the  National,  the  Prayer  Book  and  Homily,  the  Religious 
Tract,  the  Home  and  Colonial  Infant  School,  the  Ship- 
wrecked Fishermen's,  the  African  Civilization,  the  Indi- 
gent Blind,  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid,  and  the  Clerical  Aid 
Societies ;  and  by  the  editors  of  five  or  six  religious  pub- 
lications. Communications  reached  him,  bearing  on  the 
progress  of  the  gospel,  from  Scotland  and  Ireland,  from 
France  and  Geneva,  from  North  America,  from  North  and 
Southlndia,  from  South  Australia,  from  Constantinople  and 
Jerusalem.  He  exchanged  letters  with  Merle"  D'Aubigne, 
on  the  authors  to  be  consulted  in  the  History  of  the  Eng- 
lish Reformation,  and  with  Alison,  on  the  illustration  of 
prophecy  in  the  events  of  the  French  Revolution.  These 
are  specimens  of  work,  unnoticed  in  his  brief  journal, 
which  occupied  much  of  his  time,  and  made  him  almost 
realize  the  description  of  the  Apostle — "  that  which  com- 
eth  upon  me  daily,  the  care  of  all  the  churches." 

Few  of  his  more  public  letters  at  this  time  are  preserv- 
ed ;  but  his  notes  to  his  children,  even  amid  the  pressure 
of  his  public  works,  show  his  watchful  attention,  during 
his  journeys,  to  their  spiritual  welfare. 

Liverpool,  May  21. 

Dearest  F. 

I  was  glad  to  receive  my  dear  child's  letter  this  morning.  It 
is  very  pleasant  to  have  daily  intercourse  with  home. 


LETTERS  TO  HIS  CHILDREN. 


135 


If  we  are  to  be  true  followers  of  Christ,  a  thing  to  be  desired 
above  life  itself,  we  shall  have  difficulties  on  every  side,  as  your 
Papa  daily  finds.  First,  we  have  not  to  please  ourselves  at  all, 
and  that  is  a  sad  daily  conflict,  and  then,  we  have  not  to  please 
our  fellow-men,  but  often  to  oflend  them,  aud  walk  only  accord- 
ing to  the  light  of  God's  word,  and  this  is  often  painful.  But 
then,  we  have  to  please  our  dear  Master  Jesus,  who  loved  us 
even  to  death,  and  this  is  happiness  itself,  peace  and  safety,  holi- 
ness and  joy. 

I  am  full  of  work  here  each  hour  through  the  day — what  with 
public  services  and  committees  and  meetings — but  our  gracious 
God  prospers  all.  .  .  .  God  bless  you  all. 

My  beloved  C.  Liverpool,  May  20. 

As  you  are  the  one  from  home,  I  must  write  a  short  letter  to 
you  first.  I  have  six  to  answer,  amid  all  the  bustle  of  two  public 
meetings  this  day.  .  .  . 

The  most  needful  of  all  lessons  is  to  know  our  inward  sinful- 
ness ;  and  humbling  as  this  lesson  is,  without  it  we  can  not  wel- 
come His  grace,  and  rejoice  in  His  free  salvation.  0  the  bound- 
less love  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  those  who  are  so  entirely  empty  of 
all  good,  and  so  constantly  prone  to  all  evil,  as  we  are  in  our- 
selves, at  our  best  estate  !  And  0  the  mighty  grace  of  His 
own  Spirit,  that  can,  at  more  favored  times,  raise  in  our  hearts 
thirstings  after  better  things,  and  some  little  faith  and  hope  and 
love !  .  .  . 

God  has  blessed  us  much  here.  About  <£700  will  be  raised 
by  to-night,  since  we  came,  and  £2500  have  been  given  in  the 
year.  I  was  speaking  in  the  vast  amphitheater  last  night,  to,  I 
suppose,  between  four  and  five  thousand  people.  Blessed  be  God 
for  all  success. 

Dublin,  June  15,  1840. 

My  beloved  C. 

I  must  write  to  thee  in  the  midst  of  the  crowd  and  pressure  of 
duties,  hoping  this  may  reach  thee  on  thy  birth-day.  The  Lord 
himself  give  my  child  abundant  birth-day  blessings,  more  even 
than  her  earthly  father  can  think  of,  or  pray  for.  Especially 
may  He  give  her  patient  perseverance  in  well-doing,  meekness  of 
wisdom,  contrition  and  lowliness,  humility  and  love,  strong  faith, 
lively  hope,  and  full  charity.    We  shall  talk  of  you,  I  trust,  at 


136  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Dromoland  on  Wednesday.  We  arrive  there,  God  willing,  that 
day.  Glad  should  I  be  to  write  at  length,  but  I  am  pulled  on 
every  side,  and  you  must  therefore  be  content  with  a  few  words  of 
love.  Surely  my  highest  joy  is  to  see  my  own  dear  children 
walking  in  the  truth. 

The  visit  in  August,  to  Casterton  and  Kirkby  Lonsdale, 
was  a  season  of  deep  enjoyment  to  Mr.  Bickersteth  and 
his  whole  family.  None  of  his  children  had  ever  before 
seen  the  place  where  their  beloved  father  had  spent  his 
own  childhood ;  and  the  pleasures  of  association,  great  in 
themselves,  were  heightened  by  the  beauties  of  the  scenery 
along  the  banks  of  the  Lune,  and  among  the  lakes  of 
Cumberland.  Visits  were  paid  on  the  way  to  the  families 
of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  brother  and  two  sisters,  at  Coppen- 
hall,  Acton,  and  Liverpool ;  while  the  kindness  and  hos- 
pitality of  his  old  friend,  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Wilson,  of 
Casterton  Hall,  and  the  society  of  Sir  Jahleel  Brenton, 
who  was  residing  there  at  the  time,  added  fresh  interest 
and  variety  to  the  journey.  The  following  notes  were 
written,  shortly  before,  to  his  daughter  who  had  accom- 
panied him  to  Ireland,  and  was  now  staying  with  his 
brother  at  Liverpool,  till  the  arrival  of  the  whole  party 
from  Watton. 

July  4,  1840. 

My  beloved  Child, 

You  are  much  in  our  hearts,  as  well  as  on  our  lips,  and  your 
vacant  seat  leaves  us  short  of  one  we  dearly  love.  But  all  these 
separations  are  good,  and  I  am  glad  that  you  are  on  this  side  of 
the  rolling  ocean. 

You  know  how  each  hour  brings  its  work,  and  this  month  is 
specially  busy,  to  get  in  the  claims  of  the  two  next ;  but  the  Lord 
gives  me  health  and  strength  and  usefulness,  and  hope  and  joy  in 
His  service,  so  that  my  cup  runs  over. 

As  to  your  movements,  .  .  .  the  great  thing  is  to  do  what 
shall  be  most  pleasant  to  my  dear  brother  and  sister  first,  and 
then  to  be  sure  the  path  of  duty  will  be  the  path  of  happiness  to 
yourself.  Any  kind  of  intellectual  improvement  for  their  good,  I 
wish  my  dear  children  to  have  as  far  as  I  am  able.    God  bless 


VISIT  TO  CASTERTON. 


137 


you,  my  dear  child ;  live  in  prayer  and  active  duty  each  hour  of 
each  day. 

July  18. 

My  beloved  Child, 

I  must  give  you  again  the  treat  of  a  letter  from  home,  though 
every  day  is  full  of  work. 

We  had  eighteen  at  our  clerical  meeting  on  Thursday,  and 
should  have  had  more,  but  for  unexpected  casualties — a  very 
profitable  meeting,  thanks  be  to  God. 

Yesterday  I  took  E.  and  H.  to  Huntingdon,  where  we  formed  a 
new  Church  Missionary  Society. 

Next  week  we  are  all  to  be  busy.  Monday,  Religious  Tract  So- 
ciety, and  your  uncle  comes.  Tuesday,  the  School-children's  tea. 
Wednesday,  the  lecture.  Thursday,  feast  for  the  poor  at  Wemp- 
stead.  0  may  the  eye  be  single,  or  all  is  vain  toil  and  labor.  Let 
us  in  everything  simply  aim  to  be  accepted  of  our  Lord. 

....  The  Lord  graciously  watch  over  us  in  these  many  jour- 
neys. I  feel  as  if  all  my  earthly  jewels  were  being  set  afloat — 
but  what  is  fixed,  except  as  united  to  Jesus,  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day  and  forever  ? 

July  23. 

One  word  thou  shalt  have  from  thy  Papa,  because  he  loves 
thee — so  saying  I  snatched  up  this  bit  of  paper. 

We  are  enjoying  my  beloved  brother  John's  society  here.  It  is 
no  small  treat  to  me  to  have  my  earliest  friend  thus  with  me. 
We  went  to  Amwell,  where  we  went  forty  years  ago  together. 
0  how  great  the  change  since  then  !  The  greatest  was  when  we 
were  brought  together  to  know  the  blessed  Savior,  and  for  this  we 
shall  have  to  be  most  thankful  through  eternity.  Serve  Him, 
heartily,  child,  from  the  beginning  : — that  is  bliss  to  us,  and  a 
blessing  to  others.  Love  to  all.  Your  own  Papa — guess  his 
name. 

July  27. 

My  beloved  Child, 
Your  frequent  letters  deserve  frequent  answers ;  but  we  are 
in  whirlpools  and  eddies  of  work,  that  make  straightforward 
sailing  difficult. 

I  yesterday  preached  from  Gal.  vi.  9,  and  thanks  be  to  God, 
our  collections  were  more  than  £20  for  the  Church  Missionary 


138 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETII. 


Society.  To-day  I  go  to  Cheshunt  for  their  Church  Missionary, 
and  to-morrow  is  our  own  Hertford  Bible  Meeting. 

You  must  pray  for  us,  that  we  may  have  a  prosperous  journey 
by  the  will  of  God.  I  feel  the  responsibility  and  anxiety  of  taking 
my  family  such  a  journey.  ...  In  the  meanwhile  may  we  all 
be  redeeming  time,  and  occupying  talents,  and  looking  for  the 
coming  and  waiting  for  Him.  Give  our  kindest  love  to  C.  and 
M.  A.,  and  our  sympathy  with  the  suffering  child.  It  is  well  for 
all  that  the  frailty  of  our  earthly  treasures  should  be  made  clear 
in  our  eyes. 

"  August  1.  How  enduring  is  the  goodness  and  long- 
suffering  of  the  Lord !  I  am  carried  through  my  duties 
with  many  a  blessing,  yet  humbled  continually  by  my 
inconsistencies  and  sinfulness.  Where  I  am  most  blessed, 
I  have  sometimes  most  reason  to  groan  under  my  cor- 
ruption.   I  have  seen  this  in  my  late  journeys. 

"  And  now  there  is  before  me  a  most  important  step, 
— taking  my  whole  family  to  Westmoreland.  I  left  my 
native  county  forty  years  since,  and  how  graciously  has 
the  Lord  dealt  with  me  since  then,  giving  me  such  a 
family  as  He  has  given  me,  and  using  me,  as  He  has  used 
me,  to  His  glory.  I  now  propose  taking  all  to  see  the 
scenes  of  my  childhood,  in  the  hope  of  communicating, 
as  well  as  of  obtaining,  a  blessing  there.  Lord,  I  commit 
all  my  family,  and  all  this  journey,  in  all  its  stages,  unto 
Thee !  Let  no  evil  befall  us  by  the  way !  May  Thy  name 
be  glorified  in  us !  Bring  us  back,  with  a  full  blessing, 
to  our  own  home  at  the  appointed  time." 

The  visit  was  one  of  unmingled  pleasure  to  the  younger 
members  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  family.  They  took  up  their 
home  at  Casterton  in  an  old  tapestried  mansion,  then  un- 
occupied, close  to  the  Clergy  and  Servants'  Schools,  and 
within  a  short  walk  of  Casterton  Hall,  the  residence  of 
their  hospitable  friends.  Excursions  to  the  caves  at 
Clapham,  to  the  sea-side,  to  Keswick,  Derwentwater, 
Grassmere,  and  Windermere,  varied  their  quiet  rambles 
along  the  beautiful  borders  of  the  Lune.  Their  father 
took  them  to  see  the  grammar-school  where  he  had  been 


VISIT  TO  CASTERTON. 


139 


educated,  and  pointed  out  to  them  all  the  familiar  scenes 
of  his  boyhood,  ever  leading  their  thoughts  to  the  love 
of  their  Heavenly  Father,  who  had  guarded  and  blessed 
him  through  so  many  years  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage. 
Yet  his  customary  zeal  showed  itself  in  this  journey  of 
relaxation.  Every  sabbath,  and  several  times  in  the 
week,  he  was  occupied  in  pleading  the  cause  of  missions, 
and  after  escorting  his  children  on  a  party  to  Keswick, 
he  left  them  to  enjoy  the  scenery,  while  he  started  off  to 
attend  a  missionary  meeting,  which  he  had  planned  for 
himself,  in  the  middle  of  their  day  of  pleasure. 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  flock  at  the  time,  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  wrote — Our  visit  here  has  been  full  of  mercies 
and  blessings,  and  many  delightful  spheres  of  usefulness 
have  opened  before  me,  in  scenes  with  which  I  have  been 
familiar  from  my  youth.  The  inclosed  account  of  Queen 
Adelaide's  visit  will  show  a  little  of  what  my  beloved 
friend  W.  Wilson  has  been  honored  of  God  in  effecting 
here  May  we  mutually  help  in  the  communica- 
tion of  gifts  which  God  has  bestowed  on  each,  that  they 
may  be  imparted  to  others,  and  be  helpful  in  maturing 
and  ripening  our  souls  for  His  eternal  kingdom.  All  be- 
sides this  is  such  a  vanity,  when  compared  with  it,  that 
in  our  best  movements  we  can  not' but  trample  it  under 
foot  and  despise  it.  Soon,  I  believe  very  soon,  we  shall 
have  to  give  account  to  the  coming  Savior  of  all  the  talents 
which  He  has  intrusted  to  us,  and  the  opportunities  we 
have  had  of  glorifying  His  name.  May  our  one  object  be 
to  be  accepted  of  Him  on  that  day !" 

"  September  26.  Through  God's  mercy  I  have  been  car- 
ried with  my  whole  family,  ten  in  all,  to  the  north,  and 
back  again.  We  left  home,  Tuesday,  August  4,  and  re- 
turned September  24,  after  a  journey  full  of  mercies.  .  . 
We  saw  together  the  lakes  in  Cumberland,  as  well  as  the 
place  of  my  birth.  I  preached  every  Sunday,  for  either 
Jews  or  Gentiles,  and  trust  that  many  blessings  have 
flowed  to  us  in  each  part  of  the  journey.  To  God  be  all 
the  glory.    It  was  the  greater  mercy,  as  only  the  Sunday 


140 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


before  I  left  home,  August  2,  I  fainted  in  the  pulpit  at 
Tewin,  from  serious  illness. 

"The  blessings  have  been  innumerable,  in  the  great 
and  costly  kindness  of  relatives  and  friends,  the  opportu- 
nities of  usefulness  afforded  to  me,  the  advantage  of  seeing 
the  good  done  by  others,  the  recalling  of  early  scenes, 
days,  and  persons,  to  my  recollection,  the  introducing  of 
my  dear  children  to  Christian  relatives  and  their  children, 
the  increased  facilities  given  by  railways  for  accomplishing 
the  journey,  and  the  preservation  from  any  accident  in 
traveling  above  600  miles  with  so  large  a  family. 

"  Would  that  my  conduct  and  usefulness  corresponded 
to  my  opportunities.  Oh,  when  shall  it  once  be !  The 
great  secret  is  in  much  retired  communion  with  God.  O 
my  God,  pour  upon  me  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplica- 
tion I" 

The  close  of  the  year  was  marked,  in  the  political 
world,  by  the  breaking  out  of  war  in  Syria,  and  the  inter- 
vention of  the  four  powers  to  restore  that  province  to  the 
Sultan,  which  Mehemet  Ali  had  just  wrested  from  him. 
Allusions  to  these  changes  appear  in  Mr.  Bickersteth's 
journal. 

"  October  24.  .  .  All  the  nations  of  the  earth  are  shaking 
with  rumors  of  war,  and  commencing  wars.  O  Lord,  yet 
prolong  the  day  of  grace,  and  enable  us  Britons  to  use  it 
more  to  Thy  glory. 

"November  29.  I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment; 
unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  will  I  sing!  Thy  mercies  are  many, 
Thy  judgments  are  few.  At  present,  my  wife  and  one  of 
my  children  are  unwell,  and  I  have  myself  been  suffering 
— but  mercies  so  abound  over  trials,  that  I  have  innumer- 
able causes  of  thanksgiving. 

"  December  25.  0  what  thanks  I  owe  to  God  for  another 
year's  full  cup  of  mercies !  The  printing  of  my  work  on 
the  Jews  is  advancing  rapidly — the  Lord  himself  prosper 
it  to  the  enlarging  of  the  faith  and  hope  of  His  people,  and 
their  preparation  for  things  to  come,  as  well  as  the  awa- 
kening of  careless  sinners. 


MERLE  DAUBIGNE. 


141 


"  I  feel  much  of  the  infirmities  of  growing  years — but 
how  few  are  my  afflictions,  and  how  innumerable  my 
blessings. 

"  The  state  of  my  parish  affords  me  much  anxiety.  .  . 
there  are  painful  features  on  the  dark  side.  And  yet 
there  is  much  that  is  pleasing,  and  hopeful.  The  rich 
do  contribute  to  the  wants  of  the  poor ;  some  of  the  poor 
do  trust  in  the  Lord ;  some  of  the  young  are  teachable, 
and  some  of  the  old  are  awakened  and  converted — but 
there  is  no  general  concern  and  awakening.  Come  down, 
0  our  God,  with  great  might,  and  succor  us  !" 

The  year  1841  was  very  fruitful  in  important  events, 
and  brought  on  Mr.  Bickersteth  a  great  variety  of  special 
engagements,  connected  with  the  progress  of  Divine  truth, 
and  the  kingdom  of  God. 

In  1835  he  had  preached  the  Annual  Sermon  of  the 
European  Society,  which  was  then  newly  re-organized, 
after  serious  difficulties ;  and  had  felt,  ever  since,  a  very 
deep  interest  in  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  among  the  con- 
tinental churches.  The  Evangelical  Societies  of  Geneva 
and  Paris  had  been  formed  abroad  a  little  earlier,  in  1831 
and  1833,  and  an  English  Committee  had  undertaken  to 
procure  aid  for  them  from  British  Christians.  The  visit 
of  Merle  D'Aubigne"  to  England,  in  1838,  gave  this  work 
a  new  impulse.  In  May  of  that  year,  he  met  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth at  Cambridge,  and  the  fruit  of  their  intercourse  was 
the  publication  of  the  "  Voice  from  the  Alps,"  alluded  to 
before,  and  which  was  extensively  circulated  among  the 
friends  of  the  cause.  It  was  soon  found  more  convenient 
that  the  two  English  Societies,  as  they  had  a  similar  ob- 
ject, should  be  merged  into  one ;  and  that  an  important 
source  of  jealous  opposition  would  be  removed,  if  the 
actual  management  of  the  work  were  devolved  upon  the 
foreign  brethren.  A  meeting  for  this  purpose,  in  which 
Mr.  Bickersteth  took  a  leading  part,  was  held  in  Novem- 
ber, 1840,  and  the  European  Mission  and  the  Central 
Committee  were  both  merged  in  the  Foreign  Aid  Society. 
This  institution  had  ever  afterward  a  large  share  in  his 


142  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

affectionate  sympathy  and  willing  labors.  His  last  jour- 
ney, before  bis  mortal  illness,  was  to  plead  its  cause,  and 
a  message  from  bis  dying  bed  to  tbe  faithful  brethren  at 
Geneva,  proved  how  dear  it  was  to  his  heart.  A  jour- 
ney to  Shrewsbury,  early  in  this  year,  was  the  first  of 
many  similar  labors  in  its  cause,  and  its  business,  through- 
out the  whole  year,  has  a  large  place  in  his  correspond- 
ence. 

Another  work  began  at  the  same  time,  which  had  a 
deep  interest  for  himself  and  many  of  his  fellow-Chris- 
tians. Ever  since  his  own  attention  had  been  given, 
prayerfully,  to  the  word  of  prophecy,  he  had  been  very 
desirous  to  arouse  the  Church  from  a  neglect,  which  he 
believed  to  be  alike  sinful  and  dangerous.  He  made  re- 
peated attempts,  therefore,  to  persuade  one  or  other  of 
his  brethren  in  London  to  open  their  church  for  a  series 
of  lectures,  having  this  object  especially  in  view.  It  was 
not  until  this  spring,  however,  that  the  desired  opportu- 
nity was  given.  His  friend,  Mr.  Fremantle,  had  just 
returned  from  a  visit  to  Palestine,  and  taken  the  charge 
of  West  Street  Episcopal  Chapel.  He  gladly  concurred 
in  a  plan,  which  the  general  interest  awakened  by  the 
Syrian  campaign  rendered  more  than  ever  seasonable, 
and  which  harmonized  so  thoroughly  with  the  deep  im- 
pressions, produced  by  his  own  travels  in  the  land  of 
promise.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  this  year,  a 
course  of  twelve  lectures  on  the  Kestoration  of  Israel  were 
preached  there  by  twelve  different  clergymen.  The  con- 
gregations were  numerous ;  and  the  large  sale  of  the  lec- 
tures, when  published,  showed  how  deep  an  interest  on 
the  subject  had  been  aroused.  After  an  interruption,  oc- 
casioned by  Mr.  Fremantle 's  removal  to  Claydon,  the  Lec- 
tures were  resumed  in  Lent,  1843,  at  St.  George's  Church, 
Bloomsbury,  and  have  since  been  continued  annually  for 
nine  years.  Mr.  Bickersteth  took  a  main  part  in  this  uni- 
ted testimony  to  those  views,  respecting  the  character  of 
the  times,  and  the  hopes  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  which 
he  felt  to  be  highly  seasonable  and  important.    It  was 


THE  PARKER  SOCIETY. 


143 


while  preparing  a  lecture  for  the  latest  course,  on  "  The 
Goodness  of  God  in  his  dealings  with  Israel,"  that  he  was 
called  to  rest  from  his  labors,  and  himself  to  enjoy  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord,  in  more  immediate  vision. 

Another  work  of  this  year,  which  occupied  much  of  his 
time  and  thoughts,  was  the  formation  of  the  Parker  Soci- 
ety, for  republishing  the  writings  of  the  British  Reform- 
ers.  The  idea  was  one  which  had  been  long  present  to  his 
mind,  from  a  strong  conviction  of  its  practical  importance. 
"When  the  select  works  of  the  Fathers  began  to  be  pub- 
lished at  Oxford,  he  publicly  expressed  an  earnest  hope 
that  the  example  would  be  rivaled  by  the  sister  univer- 
sity, in  a  similar  selection  from  the  writings  of  the  Ref- 
ormation, and  bent  his  efforts,  in  private,  to  the  attain- 
ment of  his  desire.  Attempts  were  being  made,  at  that 
time,  to  procure  a  republication  of  Foxe's  Acts  and  Mon- 
uments by  the  Christian  Knowledge  Society.  When 
these  had  failed,  and  the  work  was  taken  up  in  1837  by 
his  own  publishers,  he  lent  all  his  influence  to  insure  its 
success.  In  the  course  of  the  same  year,  he  republished 
Coverdale's  "Godly  Letters  of  the  Martyrs,"  with  a  Ded- 
ication to  Queen  Adelaide,  and  some  Introductory  Re- 
marks ;  while,  as  Editor  of  the  "  Christian  Family  Library," 
he  engaged  the  vigorous  pen  of  Charlotte  Elizabeth  in  a 
smaller  work  of  "  English  Marty rology."  But  the  larger 
design  was  not  forgotten ;  and  the  concurrent  efforts  of 
Mr.  Stokes  of  Colchester,  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  himself,  and 
a  few  others,  led,  in  the  close  of  1840,  to  the  formation 
of  the  Parker  Society.  Its  object  was  to  republish  the 
chief  works  of  the  English  Reformers,  down  to  the  reign 
of  Elizabeth,  on  a  plan  which  secured  cheapness,  accu- 
racy, and  elegance.  The  number  of  subscribers  soon 
reached  and  surpassed  seven  thousand.  The  works  of 
Ridley,  Cranmer,  and  Latimer,  of  Tyndale,  Becon,  Phil- 
pot,  Grindal,  Bradford,  and  Whitaker,  were  cleared  from 
the  dust  of  centuries ;  and  obtained  so  extensive  a  circu- 
lation, under  patronage  so  distinguished,  that  the  Society 
might  almost  claim  for  itself  the  character  of  a  great 


144  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


national  work.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  from  the  pressure  of 
other  duties,  took  no  direct  part  in  editing  the  volumes ; 
but  scarcely  any  one,  except  his  friend  Mr.  Stokes,  had 
so  large  a  share  in  originating  the  design,  or  lent  it  in  its 
progress  a  more  effectual  advocacy.  Amid  the  growth 
of  formalism  and  semi-popery,  he  always  rejoiced  in  its 
continued  prosperity,  as  one  proof  that  the  candle,  lighted 
by  our  martyrs  at  the  stake,  was  not  yet  to  go  out  in  utter 
darkness. 

The  following  summer  witnessed  another  event,  in 
which  he  felt  the  most  lively  interest,  the  establishment 
of  the  Protestant  Bishopric  at  Jerusalem.  The  mainte- 
nance of  Reformation-truth  was  indeed  always  very 
closely  connected,  both  in  his  judgment  and  his  affections, 
with  the  work  of  mercy  toward  the  house  of  Israel. 
When,  in  1838,  Mr.  Young  was  appointed  British  Vice- 
Consul  at  Jerusalem,  he  embraced  the  early  opportunity 
of  spending  a  few  days  under  Mr.  Bickersteth's  roof,  and 
conferring  with  him  on  the  hopes  of  Israel,  before  he  set 
out,  as  the  first  British  Representative  who  had  ever  been 
sent  to  the  Holy  City.  In  1840,  when  Mr.  Nicolayson 
returned  to  England  from  Jerusalem  for  a  short  time,  he 
also  paid  a  visit  to  Watton,  that  he  might  confer  fully 
with  so  warm  a  friend  of  the  Jewish  cause,  on  the  pro- 
gress and  future  prospects  of  the  church  then  building 
on  Mount  Zion.  The  appointment  of  Dr.  Alexander,  as 
a  Protestant  Bishop  of  Jerusalem,  gave  Mr.  Bickersteth 
still  deeper  pleasure.  He  had  known  him  intimately  for 
several  years,  and  had  welcomed  him,  not  long  before, 
at  the  Rectory,  as  a  fellow-helper  in  advocating  the 
claims  of  Israel.  The  co-operation  of  Great  Britain  and 
Prussia,  the  two  great  Protestant  kingdoms,  and  the 
brotherhood  shown  to  the  Lutheran  Church,  the  first-born 
of  the  Reformation,  were  highly  grateful  to  his  truly 
catholic  spirit,  which  longed  for  closer  union  among  all 
who  maintained  the  purity  and  truth  of  the  Gospel. 
Every  step  in  the  progress  of  the  work  was  made  known 
to  him,  as  it  occurred,  by  his  noble  friend,  Lord  Ashley, 


JOURNAL. 


145 


who  had  so  main  a  part  in  its  promotion  ;  and  their  cor- 
respondence was  an  illustration  of  the  promise  to  Zion : 
— "  It  is  time  to  favor  her,  yea  the  time  is  come ;  for  thy 
servants  take  pleasure  in  her  stones,  and  favor  the  dust 
thereof." 

The  journal  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  throughout  the  year, 
shows  the  number  and  variety  of  his  public  engagements. 

"January  30.  I  have  this  day  corrected  the  last  proof 
of  the  'Restoration  of  the  Jews.'  On  Tuesday,  Feb.  2, 
I  go  to  London  for  the  meeting  at  Islington,  our  subject 
being,  the  Preaching  of  the  Reformation. 

"  February  27.  I  am  busily  occupied  with  preparing 
an  enlarged  edition  of  my  Hymn-book,  and  have  impor- 
tant sermons  before  me,  a  public  Lecture  on  the  Jews, 
March  23,  a  visit  to  Bristol,  and  on  the  following  week  to 
Bath,  and  then  to  Chester  and  Shrewsbury. 

"  March  19.  My  '  Treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper,'  is  re- 
quired for  the  eleventh  edition.  I  am  appointed  to  preach 
a  second  Visitation  Sermon  on  May  25,  and  for  the  Dis- 
trict Visiting  Society  the  same  month. 

"  April  10.  I  was  preaching  last  night  in  London  for 
the  Jews.  I  go  to  Bath ,  next  Saturday.  We  have  our 
Protestant  Association  next  Thursday.  .  .  . 

"  0  for  more  of  the  spirit  of  prayer.  0  Lord,  draw  me 
to  Jesus,  effectually,  constantly,  with  earnest  thirstings  and 
longings. 

"  May  29  I  was  carried  mercifully  through  my 

duties  in  London,  speaking  at  the  Church  Missionary 
Prayer -Book  and  Homily,  Jews',  and  Religious  Tract  So- 
cieties, and  preaching  for  the  District  Visiting  Society. 
I  was  also  mercifully  assisted  on  Tuesday,  the  25th,  in 
preaching  the  Visitation  Sermon,  which  is  now  printing. 
God  bless  it  to  my  own  good,  and  that  of  many.  .  .  .  O 
for  quickening  grace,  that  I  may  not  teach  others,  and 
remain  myself  untaught.  I  want  wisdom  in  all  the  work 
of  the  Lord. 

"June  27.  I  have  been  on  a  journey  to  Shrewsbury, 
Chester,  Liverpool,  Acton,  and  Coppenhall,  and  am 

VOL.  II. — G 


146  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BTCKERSTETH. 


brought  home  in  peace.  Forty-four  young  persons  have 
been  confirmed.  My  sermon  before  the  District  Visiting 
Society  is  now  printed.    All  glory  be  to  God. 

"  July  24.  ...  I  have  had  many  dear  relatives  and 
friends  staying  with  me.  .*\  .  Next  week  I  purpose,  if  the 
Lord  will,  to  go  to  Norfolk  with  all  my  family,  to  see  my 
wife's  relatives.    May  I  go  with  a  full  blessing. 

"  We  have  had  the  Church  Missionary,  and  Religious 
Tract  Anniversaries,  and  are  to  have  the  Bible  Anniver- 
sary next  Monday,  and  I  am  to  preach  at  Stotfold  on 
Sunday  evening.  0  Lord,  give  me  grace,  that  in  all  these 
works  of  love,  my  heart  may  be  right  with  Thee ! 

"  August  28.  God  has  most  graciously  carried  me  and 
mine  in  peace  and  safety  to  Acton,  Old  Newton,  Norwich, 
Yarmouth,  and  Cambridge.  We  had  a  journey  full  of 
mercies,  and  many  opportunities  of  usefulness  were  opened 
to  me. 

"I  have  now  the  prospect  of  journeying  next  month 
to  Derby  and  Liverpool  for  the  Jews'  Society.  Lord, 
strengthen  me  for  every  duty,  and  especially  may  home 
duties  never  be  neglected  for  more  general  duties. 

"  O  my  God,  give  me  special  grace  to  walk  more  closely 
with  God,  to  live  more  in  prayer  and  communion  with 
Thee  all  the  day,  and  in  every  duty. 

"  I  had  much  joy  in  seeing  a  larger  meeting  of  my  com- 
municants last  night  at  our  preparatory  meeting.  I  trust 
a  good  work  is  going  on  among  them." 

In  the  course  of  this  summer,  besides  many  relatives 
and  friends,  and  some  strangers  from  a  distance,  Bishop 
Meade,  of  Virginia,  who  was  traveling  in  England  for  his 
health,  paid  a  visit  to  Watton  Rectory.  The  few  days  he 
spent  under  Mr.  Bickersteth's  roof,  were  a  season  to  all 
who  were  present  of  peculiar  and  deep  enjoyment.  The 
text  of  the  Bishop's  sermon  on  the  Sunday  morning,  when 
he  preached  in  Watton  Church,  was  "the  first  and  great 
commandment:"  and  it  well  expressed  the  spirit  which 
cemented  their  union,  and  made  this  visit  a  time  of  mutual 


CHURCH  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 


147 


refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  In  a  short  account 
of  his  travels,  which  he  wrote  after  his  return  to  America, 
he  alluded,  with  deep  and  glowing  affection,  to  these  happy 
hours  at  Watton  Eectory.  A  letter  written  to  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth,  shortly  before  he  left  England,  along  with  an  account 
of  his  journey  in  France,  expressed  the  fervent  love  of  the 
writer,  and  the  delightful  communion  they  had  enjoyed 
together. 

Mr.  Bickersteth's  frequent  journeys  secured  him,  in  this 
case,  an  unexpected  pleasure ;  and  he  was  again  at  Liver- 
pool in  September,  pleading  for  the  Jews,  in  time  to  wit- 
ness the  departure  from  England  of  his  beloved  and  ven- 
erable friend. 

In  the  course  of  August,  an  event  occurred,  in  which  Mr. 
Bickersteth  took  a  most  lively  interest  (and  for  which  his 
own  labors,  in  previous  years,  had  contributed  to  prepare 
the  way),  the  accession  of  the  two  Archbishops,  and  of  all  the 
Bishops  who  were  not  members  already,  to  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary and  Jews'  Societies.  He  rejoiced  in  this  change, 
partly  for  the  sake  of  the  Societies  themselves,  but  still 
more  for  the  sake  of  the  Church  of  England.  He  had  a  sin- 
cere and  deep  respect  for  his  ecclesiastical  superiors,  and  a 
feeling  of  especial  regard  to  his  own  beloved  diocesan,  the 
Bishop  of  Lincoln,  from  whom  he  had  received  invariable 
kindness,  and  frequent  marks  of  genuine  esteem.  He  had, 
however,  a  still  deeper  sense  of  the  supreme  authority  of 
Christ,  and  of  the  plain  duty,  incumbent  on  all  Christians, 
to  fulfill  the  great  command  of  their  Lord,  and  spread  the 
gospel  both  to  the  Jews  and  to  the  heathen.  The  work 
of  the  Societies,  in  his  view,  was  so  good  and  holy,  so 
plainly  imperative  on  the  whole  Church,  that  the  Bishops 
themselves  received,  rather  than  conferred  honor,  by  a 
patronage  and  co-operation,  which  had  been,  perhaps,  too 
long  delayed.  Yet  he  rejoiced  very  greatly  in  this  proof 
that  the  rulers  of  the  Church  were  rising  to  a  just  view 
of  its  real  interests,  and  of  their  own  privilege,  and  in  the 
new  talent  which  was  thus  intrusted  to  the  friends  of  the 
Societies,  to  help  in  the  wider  diffusion  of  a  missionary 


1-18  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


spirit  through  the  land.  Influenced  by  these  feelings,  as 
he  had  a  journey  in  prospect  for  the  Jews  the  following 
month,  to  Derbyshire  and  Liverpool,  he  planned  for  him- 
self an  unusual  amount  of  work.  One  of  his  friends,  in  a 
playful  reply,  sought  to  temper  his  zeal  by  a  friendly  cau- 
tion, and  reminded  him  that  all  were  not  so  ardent  as 
himself  in  the  cause  of  Israel,  nor  likely  to  be  so  much 
impressed  by  this  new  accession  of  patronage  to  the  So- 
ciety. "It  is  very  delightful,"  he  wrote,  "that  you  are 
coming  here  for  the  Jews ;  and  I  trust  that  an  advance 
will  be  made  under  the  blessing  of  God ;  but  your  note 
seems  to  go  at  a  high-pressure  speed,  which  the  Derby 
train,  being  heavily  laden,  can  not  keep  up  with.  We 
have  two  or  three  other  public  matters  to  attend  to  at  this 
juncture.  ...  It  is  a  very  good  thing  that  we  have  got 
the  Archbishop,  but  it  does  not  follow  that  all  Derbyshire 
will  rise  up  at  a  moment's  notice,  as  if  the  Archbishop 
were  an  archangel.  .  .  .  You  will  move  them,  I  have  no 
doubt,  much  more." 

In  Mr.  Bickersteth's  own  journal,  he  expresses  his 
thankfulness  for  the  recent  change. 

"  September  25.  By  God's  great  mercy  I  have  been 
blessed  and  preserved  in  journeys  to  Sapcote,  Derby,  Mel- 
ton, Ashbourne,  Matlock,  and  Liverpool,  for  the  Jews' 
Society,  and  brought  back  in  safety  to  my  happy  home ; 
much  gracious  feeling,  I  trust,  having  been  produced  in 
many  hearts.    All  glory  be  to  Thee,  0  Lord. 

"  The  two  Archbishops  and  fourteen  Bishops  have 
joined  the  Society.    Glory  be  to  God  alone ! 

"But  now  I  come  home,— home  to  my  parish,  my 
family,  my  heart.  Here  is  my  primary  duty,  and  greatly 
ought  my  watchfulness,  prayer,  and  diligence,  to  be  here 
exercised.  O  Lord,  forgive  all  my  sins — renew  a  right 
spirit  within  me  !  0  may  I  walk  closely  with  Thee,  and 
never  mistake  "  zeal  for  the  Lord  of  hosts"  like  Jehu's, 
for  that  inward  holiness,  whose  praise  is  of  Thee,  and  not 
of  men. 

"  Gracious  Father,  draw  me  to  Jesus !    0  draw  me  to 


ILLNESS. 


149 


Jesus,  that  my  whole  soul  may  cling  to  Him,  and  in  His 
strength  I  may  go  forward ! 

"  As  usual,  the  great  failing  is  the  want  of  close,  fervent, 
continued  prayer.  Therefore  turn  thou  to  thy  God,  keep 
mercy  and  judgment,  and  wait  on  thy  God  continually, 
Hos.  xii.  6.  This  is  what  I  want.  0  write  this  Thy  law 
on  my  heart,  and  in  my  life !  With  this  failing  the  other 
corresponds,  of  close,  searching,  patient,  self-applying 
reading  of  the  Bible.  0  how  sad  it  is  that  I,  who  have 
called  others  to  these  duties,  and  have  myself  so  expe- 
rienced their  blessedness,  should  yet  so  often  be  negligent 
of  them !  Precious  Jesus  !  what  should  I  do  without 
Thee? 

"I  feel  greatly  the  danger  of  our  Church  from  the 
progress  of  the  apostate  principles  of  Rome  in  the  new 
Oxford  school.  What  a  dreadful  host  is  gathering  for 
judgment  in  the  day  of  the  Lord!" 

The  gentle  remonstrance  of  his  friend,  on  the  amount 
of  work  he  had  planned  for  his  journey,  was  not  without 
cause.  The  very  day  after  the  last  entry  in  his  journal, 
Mr.  Bickersteth  was  seized  with  an  attack  of  paralysis, 
brought  on  by  excessive  exertion,  which  laid  him  aside  for 
several  months,  and  threatened  at  first  to  supersede  entirely 
his  public  labors. 

■'  October  3.  I  did  not  know,  when  I  was  writing  the 
above,  that  I  was  preparing  for  the  trial  of  a  slight  attack 
of  paralysis  on  the  right  side  of  my  face.  I  came  home 
from  Liverpool  unusually  fatigued;  and  at  Birmingham 
on  the  22d,  was  detained  several  hours  unexpectedly,  by 
missing  the  regular  train  a  single  moment.  This  prevent- 
ed my  fulfilling  engagements  in  London,  and  acting  on 
my  mind,  distressed  me  more  than  usual.  Some  symp- 
toms of  paralysis  affected  my  speech  in  Sunday's  duties, 
which  are  heavy, — the  bible  class,  two  sermons,  and  the 
evening  lecture.  But  the  cause  was  hidden  till  the  Tues- 
day, when  my  medical  adviser  stated  what  it  was,  and 
the  absolute  importance  of  entire  rest  from  all  public 
duties.     Thus  I  am  for  the  present  laid  aside.  The 


150  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


name  of  the  Lord  be  glorified.  The  will  of  the  Lord  be 
done ! 

"  I  doubt  not  it  is  the  best  thing  that  infinite  wisdom, 
righteousness,  and  love,  could  do  for  a  poor  sinful  crea- 
ture, so  greatly  needing  all  heavenly  aid,  for  my  soul's 
welfare,  and  the  good  of  my  family  and  my  flock.  Most 
slight  has  the  stroke  been  as  yet ;  but  most  solemn  and 
instructive  the  voice.  O  that  I  may  listen  to  this  correc- 
tion of  God's  own  hand,  and  be  effectually  drawn  to  Christ, 
and  then  help  to  bring  others  to  Him ! 

"  The  kindness  of  friends  has  been  almost  overwhelm- 
ing! What,  then,  must  the  kindness  of  the  Lord  be,  from 
which  all  other  kindness  springs!" 

This  alarming  seizure  called  forth  many  letters  of  deep 
Christian  sympathy.  Those  of  Mr.  Grimshawe  and  Mr. 
Pratt — two  of  his  most  honored  friends — express  the 
thoughts  which  were  passing  in  many  minds.  Both  have 
since  been  called  to  their  rest,  the  former  only  a  few 
weeks  before  Mr.  Bickersteth's  own  removal. 

t,  Biddenham,  October  7. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  have  heard,  with  very  sincere  concern,  that  your  health  has 
met  with  a  severe  check.  I  am  not  surprised,  though  I  am 
afflicted,  at  this  intelligence  ;  for  I  have  long  been  convinced  that 
your  labors  were  too  abundant,  far  beyond  what  the  ordinary  de- 
gree of  strength,  allotted  to  most  men,  could  justly  authorize. 
You  have  not  only  done  much,  but  too  much.  The  cause  of  God 
has  been  benefited,  but  you  have  suffered.  And  therefore  for 
your  OAvn  sake,  that  of  your  family,  and  the  interests  of  the  Church 
of  Christ,  let  us  all  beg  of  you  to  relax  the  measure  of  your  ex- 
ertions for  the  time  to  come,  and  for  the  present  shut  the  door  of 
thought,  as  well  as  of  action.  By  such  means  your  valuable  life 
may  still  be  preserved  for  many  years,  through  the  Divine  mercy. 
May  the  transition  from  active  exertion  to  calm  retirement,  and 
much  inward  communion  with  God,  be  beneficial  both  to  body 
and  to  mind.  May  you  enjoy  a  large  measure  of  the  manifesta- 
tion of  His  love  and  presence ;  and  be  so  strengthened,  in  his 
own  good  time,  with  renewed  health,  and  facilities  for  resuming 
your  usefulness,  as  to  be  long  an  instrument  of  enlarged  benefit 


LETTERS  OF  SYMPATHY. 


151 


to  the  cause  of  Christ.  With  kindest  Christian  regard  and 
love. 

Very  affectionately  and  truly  yours, 

T.  S.  Grimshawe. 

The  letter  of  Mr.  Pratt  is  beautifully  characteristic  of 
both  parties,  who  had  so  long  been  associated  in  the 
blessed  work  of  missions. 

My  dear  Friend, 

Some  rumors  reached  me  a  few  days  since,  that  you  were 
indisposed.  I  did  not  understand  to  what  degree,  till  I  called 
on  Mr.  Bunyon  yesterday  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring.  You 
meet  the  will  of  our  Heavenly  Master,  I  doubt  not,  with  sub- 
mission. It  is  ground  of  wonder  and  thanksgiving  to  me,  that 
you  have  been  so  long  upheld,  with  scarcely  any  interruption, 
in  your  course  of  varied  toil.  I  am  jealous  over  you  and  my- 
self with,  I  hope,  a  godly  jealousy,  that  I  may  not  so  speak 
as  to  give  occasion  to  the  working  of  infirmity.  That  indeed 
can  hardly  be  avoided,  but  we  both  of  us  know  full  well,  that 
whatever  may  have  been  wrought  in  us,  and  done  by  us,  it 
is  so  far  short  of  what  our  Lord  was  ready  and  willing  to 
work  in  us  and  by  us,  if  we  had  had  the  faith  to  desire,  and 
to  seek  more  grace  out  of  His  fullness,  that  we  must  fall  before 
Him  as  unprofitable  servants.  I  can  not  express  to  you  a  higher 
sense  of  my  judgment  and  my  love,  than  breathing  out  the  fervent 
wish  and  prayer — sit  anima  mea  tecum ! 

May  the  light  of  our  Savior's  countenance  be  lifted  up  upon 
you !  May  He  speedily  restore  you  to  vigor  and  usefulness 
again !  But  whatever  may  be  His  will,  may  He  graciously 
prepare  you  for  it!  This  is  plainly,  my  dear  friend,  a  tran- 
sition and  a  warning.  You  are  nearly  twenty  years  younger 
than  I  am,  and  may  yet  survive  me  ;  but  this  may  be  the  en- 
trance on  a  course  of  passive  submission  to  a  chastening  hand. 
You  have  been  enabled  to  make  known  the  Savior's  name  to 
multitudes,  and  He  has  doubtless  made  your  labors  savingly 
profitable  to  the  winning  of  many  souls.  But  He  will  be  on  the 
throne,  and  must  have  all  the  glory.  .  .  .  You  are  in  all  our 
hearts,  as  an  old  friend,  and  a  fellow-servant  of  God  our  Savior. 
I  am  ever,  my  dear  friend,    Very  affectionately  yours, 

Josiaii  Pratt. 


152 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKER STETH . 


After  a  few  weeks  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  so  far  recovered, 
that  his  medical  attendant  advised  a  change  of  air,  by  the 
sea-side,  as  the  most  likely  means  of  his  complete  restora- 
tion. He  accordingly  set  out  with  Mrs.  Bickersteth  for 
Brighton,  early  in  November,  and  was  entertained  some 
weeks,  most  kindly  and  hospitably,  by  General  and 
Mrs.  Marshall.  The  following  were  his  reflections  on  the 
trial. 

"  October  30.  .  .  This  dispensation  of  God  is  speaking 
to  me  powerfully.  May  I  understand  the  warning,  and 
what  all  the  gracious  lessons  are,  which  God  is  thus  teach- 
ing me. 

"  1.  That  I  may  know  what  my  days  are,  as  an  hand- 
breath — how  frail  I  am.  That  all  here  is  transitory,  fading, 
and  perishing. 

"  2.  To  redeem  time  for  the  great  ends  of  life — to  glorify 
God,  spread  His  truth,  and  His  will. 

"  3.  To  aim  especially  at  attaining  holiness  and  useful- 
ness. I  have  been  coveting  too  much, — learning,  knowl- 
edge, insight  into  new  truths,  and  neglecting  too  much 
the  things  which  will  be  most  valuable  hereafter. 

"  4.  To  attend  to  home  and  parish  duties — so  as  to  give 
my  strength  to  that,  to  which  God  has  thus,  by  His  provi- 
dence, now  more  directly  called  me. 

"  The  scene  of  usefulness  abroad  was  so  great,  and  the 
calls  so  urgent,  I  did  not  see  my  way  clear  to  refuse. 
God  has  now  made  it  much  more  clear,  and  with  that 
voice  tells  me ; — Pray  more  for,  think  more  of,  plan  more 
for,  your  own  flock.  Go  among  them  more  abundantly 
— become  more  acquainted  with  all.  Lay  aside  all  studies 
that  would  turn  your  mind  from  this.  Think  more  of  the 
state  of  your  own  soul — of  its  preparation  for  the  day  of 
Christ.  Strive  more  for  that  conformity  to  God's  will, 
which  is  the  only  happy  state  of  man. 

"  O  write  all  these  lessons  of  Thy  providence,  by  the 
effectual  working  of  Thine  own  Spirit,  on  my  poor,  weak, 
frail  soul ! 

"Another  especial  trial  has  befallen  us,  in  the  more 


LETTERS. 


153 


confirmed  tendency  of  my  child's  cough  toward  consump- 
tion. But  I  trust  that  the  Lord  is  thus  working  good  for 
her,  and  for  us  all.    Lord,  let  it  be  so,  abundantly !" 

The  nature  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  illness,  and  the  entire 
and  sudden  cessation  of  those  employments  which  had 
become  habitual,  but  were  now  forbidden  as  dangerous  to 
his  life,  conspired,  for  a  few  days,  to  produce  an  air  of  un- 
wonted languor  and  depression.  But  while  the  outward 
man  was  apparently  smitten  with  decay,  the  inward  man 
was  renewed  the  more  powerfully  by  the  secret  grace  of 
God.  In  a  very  short  time,  the  seeming  depression  passed 
away,  and  was  followed  by  an  evident  growth  and  ripe- 
ness in  Christian  patience,  hope,  and  experience,  those  rich 
fruits  of  sanctified  affliction.  His  notes  at  this  time  to  his 
children,  and  other  friends,  breathe  a  peculiar  fragrance 
of  gentle  and  holy  love. 

Watton  Rectory,  Oct.  5. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Smith, 

How  kind  you  are  in  your  remembrances  of  your  disabled  Pas- 
tor !  I  write  a  line  to  show  you  my  hand  is  not  affected,  and  to 
assure  you  that  never  did  I  more  enjoy  the  sweet  truths — God  is 
light,  and  God  is  love.  I  am  not  walking  in  darkness,  but  rejoic- 
ing in  the  light.  I  see  his  peculiar  goodness  in  giving  me  tokens 
for  good  on  every  side.  His  name  be  glorified  only,  and  my  dear 
flock  profited  by  this  dispensation. 

May  you  be  a  comfort  to  dear  Blunt,  whom  I  have  long  loved 
as  a  faithful  brother.  God  bless  you  and  Mr.  Smith,  and  all  your 
children,  prays, 

Gratefully  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  following  letters  were  written  during  his  stay  at 
Brighton,  where  his  strength  was  slowly  and  gradually 
being  restored. 

Sussex  Square,  Brighton,  Nov.  6. 

My  beloved  F. 

.  .  .  We  are  living  in  splendid  idleness  and  luxury,  some 
would  perhaps  say  ;  but  1  hope  I  could  reply,  we  are  yielding 

G* 


154 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ourselves  simply  to  the  Divine  will,  and  enjoying  what  He  ordains 
and  sends.  This  is  true  happiness,  God's  will  our  •will,  for  sorrow 
or  joy,  for  lahor  or  rest,  for  time  or  for  eternity,  for  life  or  for  death. 
I  hope  you  are  often  praying,  "  Teach  me  to  do  Thy  will,  0  my 
God  ;  thy  Spirit  is  good — lead  me  into  the  land  of  uprightness." 
When  we  delight  in  God's  will,  nothing  can  come  amiss ;  and 
the  only  way  to  this  is  to  see  Jesus,  God's  gift  of  love  for  our  sins. 
Then  we  know,  God  must  love  us,  and  sends  every  thing  for  our 
good. 

I  hope  my  precious  child  will  more  and  more  realize  what  a 
vapor  life  is,  what  a  full  salvation  we  have  in  Jesus,  and  how 
complete  its  deliverance  of  our  souls  from  sin,  death,  hell,  the 
grave,  and  all  that  is  terrible  to  nature.  Then  be  her  illness 
what  it  may,  it  can  bring  nothing  but  good. 

Your  own  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Nov.  9. 

My  beloved  C. 
.  .  .  My  sweet  child  must  make  a  point  of  getting  into  the 
open  air  daily,  and  of  learning  to  cast  all  her  cares  on  Him — it  is 
really  true  what  I  am  going  to  write — who  careth  for  her. 
Wonderful  words  !  The  great  God  careth  for  you  individually, 
loves  you  individually,  with  an  intense  love,  and  desires  your 
happiness  for  time  and  eternity,  and  Himself  orders  every  minute 
thing,  so  as  to  promote  it  most  effectually,  completely,  and  per- 
manently. 

Now  honor  Him,  my  child,  by  entire  confidence,  by  making 
all  your  requests  known  to  Him,  and  by  being  sure  that  He  loves 
you,  and  rejoices  in  your  joy.  .  .  .  Rejoice,  then,  in  His  love, 
whatever  else  disappoints  you  ;  for  all  is  ordered  by  Him,  rightly, 
and  wisely,  and  graciously.  .  .  . 

Your  own  Papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

November  16. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Smith, 
My  heart  is  yearning  after  my  dear  flock  at  Watton,  and  I  long 
to  return  to  them.    God  graciously  grant  that  this  constrained 
silence  and  absence  may  render  me  a  more  willing  and  active 


LETTERS. 


155 


laborer  among  them,  when  my  health  is  restored.  About  the 
first  week  in  December,  at  latest,  I  hope  to  return. 

I  have  just  seen  dear  C.  and  your  little  ones  at  German  Place. 
...  I  know  by  my  own  feelings  how  much  you  must  sacrifice  in 
being  separated  from  them.  But  their  real  good  is  a  full  recom- 
pense, and  if  we  feel  so  as  parents,  what  must  be  our  Heavenly 
Father's  full  heart  of  love  toward  us !  0  that  we  may  dwell 
more  in  the  light  and  joy  of  that  intense  love  ! 

We  are  enjoying  here  every  thing  that  the  most  bountiful  hos- 
pitality and  continually  watchful  kindness  can  give  us.  In  Chris- 
tian friendship  there  are  indeed  unpurchasable  benefits,  far  be- 
yond any  that  this  world's  prosperity,  merely,  can  bestow.  The 
sweet  interchange  of  social  kindness  day  by  day,  the  mutual 
fellowship  of  Christian  feelings,  the  communion  of  saints,  all  that 
the  Apostle  combines  in  "consolation  in  Christ,  the  comfort  of 
love,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Spirit,"  are  joys  fully  understood 
only  in  Christian  union ; — but,  oh,  how  blessed  they  are,  and 
what  an  earnest  of  that  glory  to  come,  when  we  shall  sit  down 
with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ! 

If  I  can  but  hereafter  be  a  humble  instrument  in  helping  to 
raise  my  beloved  people  to  partake  of  this  benefit  in  Christ  Jesus, 
how  thankful  ought  I  to  be  !  .  .  . 

Thanks  to  you  for  all  your  kindness  about  F.  We  have  sought 
Divine  guidance,  and  I  trust,  have  been,  and  shall  be,  directed 
aright.  He  does  all  well — well  for  her,  for  all  the  family,  for  the 
parish,  for  the  Church,  for  all ;  and  in  Him  I  rest,  and  rejoice 
with  joy  unspeakable,  trusting  that  not  one  of  our  children  shall 
fail  of  a  part  in  His  heavenly  kingdom,  so  speedily  to  be  estab- 
lished. 

Always,  I  trust,  the  Lord  will  keep  us  in  the  love  of  God,  and 
in  the  patient  waiting  for  Christ. 

May  our  Lord  ever  watch  over  you,  and  bless  you  both,  and 
make  you  a  full  blessing  here,  that  you  may  inherit  a  full  bless- 
ing hereafter,  prays  Your  affectionate  Pastor, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
November  16. 

My  beloved  B. 

...  I  had  this  evening  a  very  interesting  and  animating  letter 
from  Lord  Ashley.    He  gives  me  an  account  of  the  consecration 


156 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


of  Alexander,  and  a  very  curious  dialogue  W.  C.  had  with  Dr. 
Wiseman,  who  told  him  of  his  hopes  as  to  the  Puseyites. 

I  find  more  difficulty  in  being  quiet,  as  my  stay  is  prolonged. 
...  Do  not  trouble  yourself  about  the  work  on  Baptism.  I  write 
a  family  prayer  each  day  now,  and  hope,  if  I  can  keep  up  the  prac- 
tice, in  time  to  get  a  book  of  Family  Prayers.  God  bless  you  all, 
prays  with  a  full  heart, 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  following  is  the  account  of  the  consecration,  to 
which  Mr.  Bickersteth  here  alludes. 

"November  15,  1841.  The  consecration  of  Bishop 
Alexander  was  most  impressive.  Perhaps  a  more  solemn 
effect  was  never  produced,  than  when  the  Bishop  of  New 
Zealand  selected  Acts  xx.,  and  read  the  passage.  1  And 
now,  behold,  I  go  bound  in  the  spirit  unto  Jerusalem,' 
&c.  The  Archbishop  seemed  quite  inspired :  his  faint 
voice  and  timid  manner  were  altogether  changed :  every 
one  was  struck  by  his  feeling  and  dignity.    The  Bishop 

of  London  was  afterward  in  tears  On  Monday 

evening  we  had  a  service  by  way  of  thanksgiving  (yet 
how  weak !)  at  the  Chapel  on  Bethnal  Green.  There  was 
a  positive  throng  of  people  ;  they  were  as  devout  as  they 
were  numerous.  Nothing  could  surpass  the  singing  of 
the  Hebrew  children,  a  music,  both  in  itself,  and  in  its 
subject,  so  peculiar,  that  it  stirred,  while  it  softened,  every 
feeling.  The  Bishop  took  for  his  text  Acts  xx.  22-24 ; 
the  heart  must  have  been  hardened  in  the  Devil's  own  fur- 
nace, which  did  not  feel,  and  most  fervently  reply.  His 
sermon  was  simple,  pure,  and  inexpressibly  touching: 
and  I  shall  never  forget  the  moment  of  his  episcopal  ben- 
ediction, the  first  from  a  Jewish  Bishop  of  Jerusalem  for 
more  than  seventeen  hundred  years.  Non  nobis  Domine. 
Charlotte  Elizabeth  said  to  me  on  Monday :  '  Yesterday 
the  fullness  of  the  Gentiles  was  completed.'  Even  if  not 
so,  the  remark  must  make  one  reflect.  '  Something  is  at 
hand :  you,  and  I,  thank  God,  have  a  common  and  con- 


LETTERS. 


157 


current  opinion,  as  a  son  of  the  Church,  and  a  member  of 
the  British  nation.  I  bless  God  that  we  have  been  called 
to  this  mighty  office.' 

"  A  ship  has  been  obtained  to  land  the  Bishop  at  Jaffa, 
in  his  own  Diocese  ;  he  will  go  out  and  disembark  under 
the  British  flag.  Hail  to  the  ships  of  Tarshish  !  we  h;ive 
here  sanctified  our  national  standard.  May  God  prosper 
and  bless  you,  and  restore  you  to  health,  and  that  which 
you  prize  above  all  things,  activity  in  His  service." 

Two  of  his  daughters,  then  in  town,  consulted  him  at 
this  time  on  the  lawfulness  of  attending  one  of  the  Exeter 
Hall  oratorios.    The  following  was  his  reply  : 

November  22. 

My  beloved  Children, 

The  Lord  preserve  and  bless  you  both,  keep  you  from  all  evil, 
and  watch  over  you  for  good.  Mamma  will  tell  you  about  the 
bodily  health  matters,  and  I,  shortly,  about  the  spiritual  health. 

I  know  too  little  about  the  Exeter  Hall  Oratorios,  to  form  a 
Christian  judgment  ;  but  I  have  written  the  inclosed,  lor  you  to 
send  to  Mr.  C  ,  and  let  his  answer  govern  you. 

I  wish  you  to  have  all  joy,  and  no  sorrow,  all  good,  and  no  evil, 
all  holiness,  and  no  sin  ;  and  so  you  will  by-and-by,  when  you 
reach  your  heavenly  home  ;  but  not  yet.  For  the  way  to  this  is 
through  self-sacrifice  and  self-denial,  taking  your  cross  daily,  fol- 
lowing Christ,  and  suffering  for  well-doing. 

By-and-by,  music  and  dancing,  and  every  instrument  of  music, 
and  every  motion  of  joy,  will  all  be  redeemed  and  sanctified  ;  but 
the  god  of  this  world  has  now  so  got  possession  of  the  palace  here, 
that  we  are  continually  tempted  to  walk  in  his  territories,  instead 
of  walking  in  the  narrow  way  of  holiness,  where  no  lion  can  come, 
nor  any  ravenous  beast  is  found. 

Write  daily,  for  our  hearts  are  with  our  children. 

Your  own  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

November  20. 

MY  DEAREST  B  , 

As  you  will  be  left  almost  alone,  I  must  write  a  line  to  the  for- 
saken Rectory.  Lord  Ashley  writes  to  me  that  the  Prince  of  the 
Druses  has  arrived,  to  solicit  religious  protection. 


158 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Bishop  Alexander  has  received  his  Diploma  from  King's  Col- 
lege, with  a  most  beautiful  letter  from  the  Bishop  of  London. 

Five  new  Bishoprics  have  been  founded, — Malta,  Van  Diemen, 
Ceylon,  the  Cape,  New  Brunswick. 

Newman  and  his  friends  have  sent  a  forma?  Protest  to  the 
Bishop  of  Oxford  against  the  consecration  of  a  Bishop,  united 
with  "  the  Lutheran  and  Calvinistic  heresies,"  before  they  were 
reconciled  to  the  Church  ! 

The  railway  will  be  cleared,  I  understand,  on  Monday.  All  is 
well.  Be  of  comfort,  my  child,  in  all  your  work,  and  God  bless 
you. 

0  how  much  love  I  could  send  to  Watton,  going  from  the  Rec- 
tory through  the  village,  the  hamlet,  the  farm-house,  and  the 
hall.    Well,  may  I  return  to  be  a  much  greater  blessing  ! 

Your  affectionate  Father, 

E.  BlCKEKSTETH. 

„  Brighton,  November  29. 

My  dearest  Child,  6 

1  can  not  let  one  of  the  lambs  of  my  flock,  and  of  the  special 
inclosure  of  that  flock,  be  at  a  distance,  without  following  the 
Chief  Shepherd's  direction — "  Feed  my  lambs." 

And  what  food  is  best  ?  Why,  truly,  the  sincere  milk  of  the 
word  ;  so  sweet,  so  simple,  so  nutritive,  that  it  will  not  disagree 
with  any  lamb  that  desires  it,  and  drinks  it  in,  day  by  day. 

Truly,  the  good  tidings  of  great  joy — that  there  is  a  Savior, 
which  is  Christ  the  Lord,  for  our  sinful  souls — are  most  nourish- 
ing and  wholesome  at  all  times,  and  especially  when  we  are  sick 
and  weak. 

I  do  trust,  my  love,  you  have  cast  your  whole  soul,  for  life  and 
for  death,  for  judgment  and  for  eternity,  on  the  Lord  Jesus,  as 
able  and  willing  to  save  you  to  the  uttermost.  Keep  your  eye 
steadily  on  His  death,  as  the  propitiation  for  all  your  sins,  and 
keep  fast  hold  of  the  sweet  truth,  that  you  are  freely  justified 
by  faith  in  His  blood.  Nothing  else  will  heal,  and  bless,  and 
sanctify  your  soul.  Peace  and  holiness  follow,  looking  unto 
Jesus,  and  are  the  fruit  of  His  Spirit,  given  to  those  who  believe 
on  Him. 

Think  of  her  who  applied  to  Jesus,  after  trying  all  other  phy- 
sicians, and  was  healed  by  touching  the  very  border  of  his  gar- 
ment. (Matt.  v.  25-29.)   Think  of  Asa,  seeking  to  the  physicians 


LETTERS. 


159 


and  not  to  the  Lord  (2  Chron.  xvi.  12),  and  getting  no  good; 
and  be  sure,  my  dearest  love,  your  heavenly  Physician,  caring  for 
your  eternal  health,  will  do  what  is  best  for  you,  while  you  come 
to  Him.  0  my  dear  child,  give  Him  glory  by  entire  confidence, 
being  strong  in  faith  !    It  is  my  hearty  prayer  for  you. 

The  time  also  is  very,  very  short,  before  the  Lord  shall  return 
in  His  glory,  and  raise  our  souls  far  above  all  the  fleeting  cares 
and  sorrows,  or  even  the  joys  and  glories  of  this  transient  world. 
He  has  promised  to  come.  I  believe  the  time  is  near ;  and 
though  many  temptations  and  trials  are  to  be  passed  through, 
the  end  is  the  kingdom  of  light  and  glory  forever  !  All  things 
in  the  way  to  it,  whether  health  or  sickness,  life  or  death,  are 
ours,  and  working  for  our  good. 

Your  own  Papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
Watton,  December  13. 

My  dearest  Children, 

The  enclosed  are  our  Sunday  sermons,  as  far  as  short  sketches 
can  go.    Being  children,  I  send  you  our  heads.    0  that  all  God's 

dealings  with  my  dear  F  may  be  so  blessed  that  she  may 

become  very  rich  in  grace  and  strong  in  faith.  God  can  do  great 
things  for  you,  and  will,  if  you  ask  Him.  .  .  . 

I  grieve  that  we  have  lost  Mr.  C.'s  letter.  But  you  can  tell 
our  friends,  that,  being  full  of  anxiety  lest  my  children  should 
enter  into  worldly  pleasures,  or  sanction  the  inconsistency  of  sa- 
cred music  performed  by  persons  of  immoral  character,  I  wrote  to 
him  ;  and  he  replied,  that  the  whole  was  conducted  under  the 
direction  of  pious  persons,  anxious  to  redeem  music  for  its  great 
end — the  glory  of  God.  No  merely  intellectual  enjoyment  of  mu- 
sic would  justify  your  going,  but  to  get  a  help  to  the  heavenly 
hope  would  be  a  real  blessing,  of  which  I  would  not  deprive  you. 
But,  remember,  the  border  lines  are  the  scenes  of  danger,  full  of 
sharp-shooters,  very  quick  to  discern  a  straying  soldier. 

I  hope  now,  through  mercy,  gradually  to  return  to  home  du- 
ties. 

I  can  not  tell  you  how  greatly  we  feel  the  kindness  of  such 
friends  as  would  be  burdened  with  all  the  infirmities  of  a  sick 
child.  May  our  gracious  God  give  them  the  joy  of  His  love,  and 
abundantly  recompense  them  in  blessings  to  their  own  children. 


160  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Such  packets  of  love  from  all  here  !  !  Remember  the  first 
fountain. 

Your  own  affectionate  Father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

During  the  same  visit  he  wrote  a  letter  of  affectionate 
sympathy  to  his  friend  Mr.  Elliott,  of  Brighton,  whose 
beloved  wife  had  been  suddenly  taken  to  her  rest. 

Sussex  Square,  Brighton,  Nov.  5, 1841. 

My  beloved  Elliott, 

On  my  arrival  here  last  night,  I  was  grieved  to  the  heart  to 
hear  of  your  bereavement.  I  do  most  tenderly  sympathize  with 
you  in  this  heavy  trial.  I  doubt  not  you  have  often  said,  "  The 
Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord."  But  to  weep  is  a  Christ-like  privilege;  and  to 
weep  with  them  that  weep,  a  Christian  duty,  which  I  desire  from 
the  heart  to  enter  upon  with  you.  Her  state  is  indeed  one  of 
true  blessedness.  Speedily  carried  to  her  Savior's  bosom,  she  is 
with  Christ,  which  is  far  better  ;  resting  from  all  her  labors, 
and  joying  with  the  spirits  of  the  just.  We  durst  not  wish  to 
recall  the  departed,  whom  we  love  most.  And  then  for  you,  and 
your  children,  and  her  relatives,  my  beloved  Elliott,  the  Lord 
who  loves  you  and  them  infinitely  better  than  any  other  can,  and 
has  infinitely  more  and  fuller  wisdom  in  all  His  ways  of  love. — 
He  saw  what  would  be  for  your  highest  good,  and  had  the  faith- 
ful love,  which  would  not  be  hindered  by  the  pain  it  gave,  from 
accomplishing  that  highest  and  eternal  good.  How  surely  may 
we  rest  in  infinite  wisdom,  almighty  power,  and  boundless  love, 
engaged  in  Christ  for  our  eternal  benefit  !  The  time  is  also  short, 
as  the  blessed  Apostle,  on  this  very  point,  states.  (1  Cor.  vii.  25— 
31.)  The  Lord  so  quickly  comes  in  His  glory,  and  Ave  are  so  soon 
to  be  with  Him  in  the  glories  of  the  resurrection,  that  all  that 
helps  us  to  live  in  preparation  for  it,  and  in  bringing  others  to 
share  it  with  us,  is  really  working  for  us,  and  not  against  us. 

We  are  ministers,  and  the  Lord  would  make  us  able,  faithful, 
tender-hearted,  experienced,  and  sympathizing  ministers ;  and 
how  can  we  become  such,  unless  we  become  afflicted  for  the  sake 
of  our  people  ?  (2  Cor.  i.  6.)  My  dear  brother,  you  know  all 
this  better  than  I  can  tell  you  ;  but  when  stunned  by  an  unlooked- 


FAMILY  PRAYERS. 


161 


for  trial,  I  have  found  how  sweet  a  common  truth  is  from  a  fel- 
low-Christian, and  so  I  write  to  you. 

God  has  dealt  most  gently  with  me  ;  though,  for  the  present, 
entirely  resting  from  all  public  duty,  and  forbidden  the  excite- 
ment of  society.  I  am  otherwise  quite  restored  ;  and,  if  it  please 
God,  have  the  hope  of  again  returning  to  the  blessed  work  of  the 
ministry. 

My  dear  wife,  and  our  beloved  friends  the  Marshalls,  tenderly 
sympathize  with  you,  and  pray  for  you. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Upon  the  first  abatement  of  his  illness,  and  while  close 
occupation  of  mind  was  pronounced  to  be  dangerous,  Mr. 
Bickersteth  was  very  wishful  to  be  employed  in  some 
work,  which  might  benefit  the  souls  of  others,  without 
the  risk  of  too  great  excitement.  He  would  only  be  happy 
while  occupied  in  his  Master's  service.  He  had  been 
urged  by  Christian  friends,  several  years  before,  to  publish 
a  volume  of  "  Family  Prayers,"  and  he  began  the  work 
soon  after  he  reached  Brighton,  when  all  mental  activity 
was  still  forbidden.  In  a  note  of  November  18  to  one 
of  his  children,  he  reports  his  daily  progress,  with  the 
weighty  remark,  suggested  by  a  visit  he  had  just  paid  to 
one  in  sickness.—"  How  blessed  a  thing  it  is  to  be  an 
unequivocal  Christian !"  The  volume  was  published  in 
February,  and  dedicated  to  the  kind  friend,  under  whose 
roof  it  was  begun.  The  following  notes  were  also  written 
to  him,  to  express  his  gratitude  after  his  own  return. 

December,  1841. 

My  dear  General, 
I  can  not  be  content  with  the  newspaper  only  coming,  to  assure 
you  of  our  safe  arrival.    Our  hearts  are  too  full  of  the  grateful 
feeling  of  all  your  kindness  in  the  last  five  weeks,  to  allow  of  my 
pen  to  be  idle. 

I  know  we  both  thank  God  for  all  His  grace  to  us,  whether  we 
give  of  what  He  first  gives  us,  or  whether  we  receive — all  is  of 
God's  full  love,  and  to  feel  this  is  peace  and  joy,  here  and  for- 
ever.   I  know  that  it  was  love  to  our  blessed  Redeemer,  that  led 


162 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


you  and  Mrs.  M.  to  show  love  to  us,  and  I  doubt  not,  it  is  ac- 
cepted of  Him,  and  will  be  owned  by  Him,  to  whose  name  alone 
be  all  glory.  May  we  be  more  knit  to  each  other  in  Him,  and  more 
remember  each  other  at  His  mercy-seat ! 

We  were  just  three  hours  on  the  road  in  the  railway,  and  had 
a  journey  of  mercies,  quiet  from  the  fear  of  evil,  which  is  often 
worse  than  evil  itself.  With  our  earnest  prayers  to  the  Father 
of  mercies,  that  every  spiritual  and  temporal  blessing  may  be 
showered  on  you. 

Very  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
December  16. 

My  dear  General, 

Through  mercy  I  keep  my  Brighton  health,  and  preached  with 
comfort  on  Sunday.  The  refreshment  of  my  visit  to  you  will  not 
easily  pass  away.  Such  is  the  love  that  our  Lord  delights  to  see, 
I  doubt  not,  in  us  His  children ;  may  it  abound  more  and  more 
in  us  to  His  glory. 

I  hope  you  will  have  seen  Lord  Ashley's  admirable  letter  to 
Mr.  Palmer.    Thanks  be  to  God  for  such  a  nobleman. 

I  am  getting  on  with  my  "  Family  Prayers,"  though  not  so 
easily  as  at  Brighton,  where  half  the  volume  was  written.  You 
must  allow  me  to  dedicate  it  to  you  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  as  a  token 
of  love. 

Every  blessing  be  with  you  both.  Realize  the  sweet  truth, 
that  our  God  does  really  love  you,  and  is  ordering  all  things, 
mental  as  well  as  bodily,  future  as  well  as  present,  for  your  high- 
est good. 

December  23. 

Thaiiks  to  you  for  all  your  kind  thoughts  of  us,  and  especially 
your  last  note.  Our  joy,  as  believers  before  God  and  man,  is  not 
in  any  thing  in  us.  I  can  not  stand  a  moment  there  ;  for  I  too 
feel  a  sinfulness  which  only  the  Lord  can  discern — but  our  joy 
for  here  and  eternity  is  in  the  righteousness  of  Jesus ;  and  that 
we  know  Him,  and  put  all  our  trust  in  Him,  and  hope  He  will 
yet  gain  glory  to  Himself  by  us,  from  our  love  to  Him,  and  His 
people,  and  all  men. 

I  wrote  to  S  about  Lectures  against  Tractarianism.  Things 

are  rapidly  ripening  for  the  day  of  Christ,  and  He  will  soon  expel 


RETURN  HOME. 


163 


all  these  unclean  spirits,  be  their  name  Legion,  or  however  won- 
derful their  increase,  or  prevailing  the  delusion.  .  .  .  God  bless 
you  both.    Our  hearts  are  warm  with  grateful  love  to  you. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  December  12,  1841.  After  staying  nearly  five  weeks 
with  my  dear  wife  at  Brighton,  partaking  of  the  bounti- 
ful hospitality  of  our  beloved  friends,  the  Marshalls,  and 
being  wholly  free  from  all  public  duty,  I  am  mercifully 
brought  back,  with  much  recruited  health  and  strength, 
to  my  parish. 

"  I  have  now  been  in  orders  as  a  Minister  just  twenty- 
six  years,  having  been  ordained  deacon,  December  10, 
1815,  and  never  before  reduced  to  silence  in  my  ministry. 
The  Lord  grant  that  I  and  my  people  may  profit  by  it. 
For  ten  Sundays  I  have  been  kept  from  preaching,  as  a 
matter  of  duty,  and  now  this  Sunday,  for  the  first  time, 
preached  on  2  Cor.  iv.  7.  0  Lord,  my  leanness  and  un- 
profitableness, my  great  sins,  which  often  unexpectedly 
rise  up  in  humbling  recollection  to  my  mind,  all  through 
my  past  days,  may  well  make  me  lie  very  low  before  Thee. 
I  desire  to  humble  myself  in  Thy  sight,  as  a  most  guilty 
creature,  whose  only  dependence  must  be  fixed  on  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

"  I  hope  gradually  to  resume  my  duties  in  the  parish, 
but  journeying  for  Societies  must,  I  apprehend,  be  re- 
linquished. Lord,  teach  me,  and  lead  me,  that  I  may 
do  Thy  will  and  not  mine!" 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 
A.  D.  1842. 

The  nature  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  illness  made  it  his  clear 
duty  to  refrain  for  a  season  from  those  public  and  ex- 
citing labors,  in  which  he  had  been  so  actively  engaged. 
The  year  which  followed  it  was,  therefore,  passed  in  com- 
parative retirement.  His  home  duties  were  still  varied 
and  enlarged,  by  an  extensive  and  interesting  correspond- 
ence ;  but,  with  the  exception  of  one  Annual  Sermon,  in 
May,  for  the  Prayer-book  and  Homily  Society ;  and  another 
in  November,  for  the  Protestant  Association,  he  engaged 
in  hardly  any  public  services,  and  entirely  gave  up  his 
usual  missionary  journeys.  None,  however,  loved  him  so 
much,  as  those  who  saw  him  under  his  own  roof,  sur- 
rounded by  his  family,  and  in  the  quiet  course  of  his 
home  life.  The  fragrance  of  Christian  love,  which 
breathed  around  him,  lives  still  in  their  memory,  though 
it  is  impossible,  in  words,  to  convey  the  full  impression 
of  it  to  others.  Yet  a  few  recollections,  however  imper- 
fect, of  his  Watton  life,  as  it  appeared  to  visitors  from  a 
distance,  and  to  his  own  children,  are  clearly  essential  to  a 
real  biography. 

When  he  first  removed  to  Watton,  the  youngest  of  his 
six  children  was  a  few  weeks  old,  and  the  eldest  only 
about  ten  years  of  age.  But  at  the  time  of  his  illness,  the 
lapse  of  more  than  eleven  years  had  made  a  great  change 
in  his  domestic  circle.  All  his  children  had  now  been 
united,  for  four  or  five  years,  under  his  own  roof.  His 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


165 


three  eldest  received  mainly,  and  the  others  exclusively, 
a  home  education.  They  had,  most  of  them,  reached  an 
age  in  which  they  could  appreciate  their  father's  position 
in  the  Church,  and  sympathize  in  his  public  labors.  They 
were  able  now,  more  than  in  earlier  years,  to  delight  in 
the  overflowing  love,  which  marked  his  character  as  a 
parent,  and  by  reflecting  it  from  one  to  another,  to  mul- 
tiply and  diffuse  its  happy  influence.  His  own  incessant 
activity  gave  its  tone  to  the  whole  family.  It  was  a  little 
hive  of  busy,  happy  workers.  To  get  good,  and  to  do 
good,  was  the  double  charge  he  impressed  constantly  on 
his  children,  as  the  great  rule  and  object  of  a  Christian 
life ;  and  as  they  rose  successively  into  the  knowledge  and 
enjoyment  of  the  gospel  their  father  proclaimed  and  prac- 
ticed, they  were  taught  that  it  was  their  highest  privilege 
to  help  in  diffusing  its  blessedness  to  others. 

The  notes  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  his  children,  in  the 
previous  chapters,  illustrate  his  general  principle  in  their 
education.  Keligion  was  never  exhibited  to  them  as  a 
system  of  arbitrary  restraint,  or  as  contracting  for  them 
a  wider  circle  of  pleasures,  in  which  the  children  of 
worldly  parents  would  be  permitted  to  engage.  They 
were  taught  to  regard  it  as  a  system  of  privilege,  a  con- 
stant fountain  of  domestic  joy  and  mutual  love.  Their 
father  carefully  excluded  them,  it  is  true,  from  worldly 
society.  Novels  were  practically  prohibited  ;  and  vain 
and  idle  words  in  songs,  even  when  they  might  happen 
to  intrude  in  music-lessons,  met  his  instant  and  decided 
disapprobation.  He  objected  to  dancing,  and  the  ball-room 
was,  of  course,  entirely  prohibited.  But  the  home-circle 
was  so  happy — life  was  so  rich  with  varied  interest, — that 
his  children  were  little  tempted  to  desire  amusements,  of 
which  they  felt  no  need,  and  which  were  habitually  asso- 
ciated, in  their  minds,  with  the  ideas  of  unhealthy  dissi- 
pation, waste  of  time,  and  extreme  spiritual  danger.  When 
they  heard  other  Christian  parents  speak  of  the  difficulty 
they  found,  in  restraining  their  children  from  worldly 
pleasures,  they  learned  how  great  was  their  debt  to  the 


166  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


wise  and  tender  love  of  their  own  father,  which  had  left 
them  no  excuse  for  craving  those  dangerous  amusements, 
by  providing  them  with  a  rich  variety  of  home  enjoy- 
ments. He  spared  no  expense  in  their  education,  pro- 
vided them  lessons,  in  music  and  drawing,  from  the  best 
masters,  supplied  them  liberally  with  books,  and  encour- 
aged them  in  their  own  voluntary  studies.  He  allowed 
his  children,  as  indeed  he  pursued  himself,  a  wide  range 
of  reading.  His  large  library  was  well  stored,  not  only 
with  a  very  great  number  of  theological  writings,  in  which 
it  was  rivaled  by  few  private  collections,  but  with  works 
of  history,  science,  and  general  literature.  He  cared  little 
himself  for  works  of  imagination ;  but,  whenever  there 
was  nothing  plainly  objectionable  in  their  tendency,  he 
rejoiced  to  procure  them  for  his  children.  There  was  a 
free  liberality  in  all  his  gifts,  which  made  them  doubly 
welcome.  Filial  piety  had  eminently  marked  his  early 
days,  and  God  gave  him,  as  in  recompense,  a  large  meas- 
ure of  parental  wisdom,  and  an  unusual  share  of  domestic 
happiness.  His  authority,  it  is  true,  was  so  gentle,  that 
the  father  seemed  almost  merged  in  the  companion,  but 
his  will  was  ever  felt  to  be  a  spontaneous  law  to  the  whole 
household. 

When  his  children,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  had  learned 
to  prize  the  truth,  which  was  so  powerfully  commended 
to  them  by  his  dady  instructions  and  example,  this  disci- 
pline of  love  produced  its  natural  effect  on  their  minds. 
It  became  their  highest  pleasure  to  help  on  his  work — the 
Master's  work,  as  he  loved  to  call  it.  This  was  his  own 
great  object,  which  carried  him  cheerfully  through  every 
little  sacrifice.  "I  don't  much  like  leaving  home,"  he 
would  say  often  before  a  journey,  "  but  it  is  for  the  Mas- 
ter." "You  are  overworking  yourself,"  was  the  not  un- 
usual remonstrance  of  Mrs.  Bickersteth,  or  of  his  children. 
"It  is  all  the  Master's  work,  my  love,"  would  be  his 
reply.  In  this  blessed  work  he  delighted  to  have  his 
chddren  for  helpers  and  companions.  They  were  early 
accustomed  to  take  part  in  the  Sunday  School,  and  to 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


167 


visit  the  cottages  of  the  poor.  When  they  grew  older,  he 
delighted  to  employ  them  in  the  village,  and  used  play- 
fully to  call  them  his  curates.  "I  am  going  into  the 
village,  can  I  do  any  thing  for  you,  papa?"  was  a  frequent 
inquiry.  "Yes,  my  love,  all  the  good  thou  canst,"  would 
be  his  answer,  whenever  there  was  no  special  commission. 
If  any  good  was  done,  they  were  cheered  by  his  full  and 
ready  sympathy ;  if  any  perplexities  arose  in  their  part 
of  the  parish  work,  his  wise  counsel  was  always  at  hand. 
At  home  he  found  them  frequent  employment,  in  copying 
important  letters,  translating  passages  for  quotation,  pre- 
paring indexes,  and  other  tasks  of  a  similar  kind.  Much 
of  the  work  thus  provided  for  them  was  very  interesting 
in  itself ;  and  the  rest,  which  might  have  been  rather  irk- 
some in  its  own  nature,  was  so  gratefully  acknowledged, 
that  the  little  self-denial  was  found,  in  the  result,  to  yield 
them  one  of  the  purest  and  deepest  pleasures.  At  such 
times  it  was  their  privilege  to  sit  with  him  in  his  quiet 
study,  to  watch  his  busy  progress,  to  hear  the  ejaculations 
often  gently  breathed  for  Divine  help,  as  matters  of 
weighty  importance  came  before  him ;  and  to  feel  that,  by 
taking  some  of  the  more  mechanical  parts  of  his  work, 
they  were  helping  to  redeem  his  precious  time  for  more 
abundant  labors  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  He  contrived  to 
find  some  use  for  almost  every  thing  they  might  have 
learned  in  the  school-room,  in  connection  with  his  own 
work ;  so  that,  although  he  took  very  little  part  in  the 
direct  superintendence  of  their  studies,  all  was  instinc- 
tively connected  with  him  in  their  thoughts,  and  seemed 
to  draw  them  closer  and  closer  to  him. 

From  an  early  age  his  children  were  admitted  to  share 
all  the  various  church-interests  which  daily  clustered 
around  him.  He  made  them  his  intimate  companions  in 
all  his  labors  for  promoting  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
His  fears  as  to  the  dangers  which  threatened  the  Church 
of  Christ ;  his  perplexities  as  to  his  own  course  on  par- 
ticular occasions  that  might  arise  ;  his  impressions  on  the 
character  of  public  men,  or  the  tendency  of  public  meas- 


168  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

ures,  in  Church  or  State — all  were  discussed  freely  in  the 
family  circle,  and  the  youngest  were  not  forbidden  to 
mingle  in  the  conversation.  A  conviction  was  thus 
silently  formed  in  their  minds,  that  every  thing  which  in- 
terested their  father,  since  it  affected  the  cause  of  the 
Savior,  ought  to  be  also  of  deep  interest  to  themselves. 
Every  morning,  before  breakfast  was  ended,  or  a  little 
later,  the  post  came  in,  usually  with  a  large  variety  of  let- 
ters. Unless  the  contents  required  privacy,  the  various 
intelligence  from  every  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  often 
from  distant  lands,  became  the  subject  of  conversation  to 
the  whole  family.  It  was  his  constant  practice  to  walk 
before  dinner  ;  and  he  would  then  often  discuss  with  his 
wife  and  children,  or  Christian  inmates  and  visitors,  the 
duties  which  the  morning's  post  had  brought  upon  him  ; 
and  would  sometimes  leave  the  table  at  dinner,  when  the 
conversation  turned  on  the  same  subjects,  to  fetch  the 
answers  he  had  written.  It  was  his  own  principle, 
through  life,  to  have  for  his  main  object  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  salvation  of  men.  This  he  sought  also  to  impress 
in  every  way  on  their  minds.  A  great  work  was  to  be 
done ;  and  each  one,  according  to  their  ability,  was  to 
take  a  part  in  it.  Self-denial  was  to  be  expected  as  a 
needful  means ;  but  the  end  was  glorious,  and  worthy  of 
every  sacrifice.  Life,  they  were  thus  taught  to  feel,  was 
solemn  and  earnest,  full  of  interest,  full  of  hope ;  and 
though  beset  with  many  dangers,  and  exposed  to  many 
trials,  full  also  to  a  Christian  of  the  richest  blessings.  A 
variety  of  quiet  amusements  were  at  hand,  to  fill  up  every 
hour  not  occupied  with  active  and  pressing  duties ;  and 
the  only  complaint  often  heard  at  the  Rectory,  was,  that 
the  day  was  not  long  enough  for  its  numerous  and  inter- 
esting occupations. 

For  many  years  of  his  life,  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  a  very 
early  riser,  and  two  or  three  of  his  most  popular  works 
were  composed  in  these  morning  hours,  before  the  busi- 
ness of  a  laborious  day  began.  At  Watton,  latterly,  he 
rose  between  six  and  seven,  and  then  took  a  cold  bath, 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON.  169 

which  he  found  very  beneficial  to  his  health ;  and  in. 
winter  he  would  often  break  the  ice  with  his  own  hands 
in  severe  weather,  rather  than  omit  the  practice.  After 
a  short  time  spent  in  private  in  his  study,  he  retired  to  a 
quiet  walk  in  a  field  above  the  Rectory,  where  he  used  to 
continue  his  morning  devotions.  Not  far  from  one  end 
of  this  private  walk  there  were  two  or  three  cottages, 
and,  unknown  to  himself,  his  voice  was  sometimes  over- 
heard by  the  simple  cottagers,  as  he  poured  out  his  earnest 
supplications  before  God.  He  was  accustomed  for  years 
to  meet  his  children  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before  break- 
fast, to  hear  them  repeat  a  few  verses  of  Scripture. 
When  they  grew  older,  he  encouraged  them  to  learn 
larger  portions  of  it,  and  to  repeat  them  to  him.  The 
book  of  Revelation,  and  several  of  the  Epistles,  were  thus 
committed  to  memory.  He  had  a  great  desire  to  read 
the  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew,  and  made  several  attempts 
before  breakfast  with  his  eldest  daughter ;  but  his  occu- 
pations never  allowed  him  to  give  a  reasonable  time  to 
such  a  pursuit,  especially  as  he  had  no  special  readiness 
for  the  acquisition  of  a  language :  but  all  the  time  spent 
with  him  in  private  by  his  children  was  so  delightful,  that 
these  Hebrew  lessons  are  still  looked  back  upon  with 
peculiar  pleasure. 

He  always  laid  great  stress  on  punctuality.  At  eight 
o'clock  the  bell  rang  for  breakfast,  which  was  ever  at 
Watton  Rectory  a  time  of  social  enjoyment.  Even  when 
his  children  were  young,  he  never  consented  to  the  rule 
that  they  should  be  forbidden  to  speak  at  table ;  it  was 
his  chief  opportunity  of  intercourse  with  them.  Thus  the 
habit  was  early  formed  of  regarding  meal-times  chiefly  as 
happy  seasons  for  the  interchange  of  thought,  and  the  cul- 
tivation of  domestic  sympathy.  At  half-past  eight  the 
bell  rang  again  for  prayers,  and  he  was  very  careful  that 
every  member  of  the  household  should  be  present,  or  at 
least  that  no  light  cause  should  be  held  to  justify  their 
absence.  A  hymn  was  sung,  accompanied  with  the  harp 
or  piano,  or  occasionally  with  both  instruments.  Though 

vol.  n. — h 


170 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


gifted  himself  neither  with  a  good  voice  nor  a  very  cor- 
rect ear,  he  took  peculiar  delight  in  this  part  of  worship, 
which  was  so  congenial  to  his  thankful  spirit ;  and  though 
his  own  share  in  it  might  have  little  attraction  to  a  mere 
lover  of  musical  harmony,  he  might  be  said  with  truth  to 
"  make  melody  in  his  heart  to  the  Lord."  His  exposi- 
tions were  simple,  earnest,  homely,  full  of  life  and  power. 
Most  of  them  latterly  were  taken  down,  each  day,  by  one 

jpr  other  of  his  children ;  and  those  on  St.  John's  and  St. 

-f  Jude's  Epistles,  after  being  revised  by  himself,  have  been 
published  with  the  title  of  "  Family  Expositions."  In 
his  prayers  it  was  his  custom  to  introduce  the  mention  of 
each  passing  circumstance  of  domestic  interest.  No  servant 
left  or  joined  the  family — no  one  set  out  on  a  journey,  or 
returned  from  it,  was  laid  aside  with  sickness  or  recovered, 
without  a  separate  petition  or  thanksgiving  in  these  morn- 
ing devotions  of  the  household. 

After  prayers  he  returned  to  his  study ;  and  three  or 
four  hours  were  busily  ernpkyyed,  first  of  all,  in  looking 
over  and  answering  the  day's  letters,  or  the  arrears  of  cor- 
respondence during  his  journeys;  and  then,  if  time 
allowed,  in  carrying  on  whatever  work  he  might  be  pre- 
paring for  publication.  About  an  hour  before  dinner  he 
summoned  his  family  for  a  walk.  He  found  this  regular 
exercise  necessary  for  his  health,  and  insisted  on  its  im- 
portance, with  his  children  and  others,  as  a  real  economy 
of  time,  and  that  it  should  not  be  a  continuation  of  study 
in  the  open  air,  but  a  thorough  relaxation.  At  one  time 
he  rode  frequently  on  horseback  before  breakfast  with  one 
or  other  of  his  children,  and  in  this  case  he  expected  a 
hymn  to  be  repeated  to  him  in  the  course  of  their  ride. 
Such  times  of  solitary  intercourse  were  precious  seasons 
for  gaining  spiritual  counsel.  He  would  listen  tenderly 
to  every  doubt  and  anxiety,  and  could  enter  thoroughly 
into  every  statement  of  spiritual  conflict.  "  I  have  felt 
just  the  same,"  he  would  affectionately  answer,  "  I  too 
have  known  the  summer  and  winter  of  the  soul!" 

After  dinner  a  few  minutes  were  given  to  free,  hearty 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTOX. 


171 


conversation  by  the  fireside,  and  then  a  little  time  in  his 
stud)'  to  lighter  reading,  or  letters  of  less  importance.  He 
then  went  down,  usually  about  four  o'clock,  to  the  schools, 
or  the  sick  poor  in  the  village,  or  took  the  afternoon 
cottage-lectures,  when  he  had  no  curate.  An  early  tea, 
about  six  or  seven,  was  followed  on  Wednesday  by  a  lec- 
ture in  the  school-room,  on  Saturday  by  a  weekly  prayer- 
meeting,  and  on  the  other  evenings,  by  study  or  compo- 
sition. A  strip  of  paper  was  fastened  on  his  desk,  with 
notes  of  the  work  he  had  to  do  ;  and  thus,  amid  the  great 
diversity  of  his  engagements,  it  was  very  rarely  that  any 
thing  was  forgotten.  He  read  with  great  rapidity.  In 
general  he  had  some  special  object  in  view  in  the  books 
he  took  up ;  and  he  would  run  his  eye  rapidly  through 
many  volumes,  passing  over  all  that  did  not  interest  him, 
and  fixing  his  attention  on  all  those  parts  which  gave  him 
the  information  of  which  he  was  in  quest.  It  was  prob- 
ably this  habit  of  rapid  selection  which  made  him  dislike 
being  read  to  by  others :  and  even  in  times  of  illness  he 
always  preferred  to  have  a  book  in  his  own  hands.  A 
quiet  study  was  found  by  him  essential  to  his  progress  in 
his  work,  and  access  to  it  in  working  hours  was  a  privi- 
lege very  carefully  limited.  In  this  he  owed  very  much, 
as  he  used  often  to  say,  to  his  beloved  wife,  who  took  his 
share,  as  well  as  her  own,  of  little  household  interruptions, 
that  he  might  be  left  entirely  free  for  his  more  important 
employments.  The  day  closed  with  family  worship,  and 
a  few  minutes  of  pleasant  social  conversation.  He  was  an 
advocate  for  early  hours  of  retirement.  At  ten  o'clock  the 
little  party,  however  fascinating  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion, was  invariably  broken  up,  and  any  recusants  had  a 
lighted  candle  put  into  their  hands. 

Next  to  his  glowing  love  and  untiring  diligence,  con- 
sistency was  the  most  prominent  feature  in  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth's  domestic  character.  He  was  just  the  same  in  his 
own  family  as  he  appeared  to  be  abroad.  It  is  the  testi- 
mony of  his  children,  in  looking  back  upon  all  the  past, 
while  they  would  not  dare  to  claim  for  so  beloved  a  parent 


172  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

an  exemption  from  all  human  frailty, — that  they  remem- 
ber no  instance  in  which  he  led  them  in  a  course  incon- 
sistent with  the  truths  he  ever  inculcated  on  them.  In 
any  little  social  perplexities  that  might  arise,  they  often 
observed  how  quickly  he  cut  the  knot,  by  pointing  out  the 
law  of  Christian  duty,  and  then  following  it,  undisturbed 
by  the  fear  of  man's  displeasure.  In  his  arrangements  for 
their  welfare,  it  was  always  evident  that  their  soul's  pros- 
perity was  viewed  as  the  main  object.  His  whole  life  was 
a  commentary  to  them  on  those  words  of  the  Lord — "  Seek 
first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteousness."  It  was 
this  fact,  perhaps  even  more  than  all  his  direct  instructions, 
which  made  an  uneffaceable  impression  on  their  minds. 
They  could  not  help  feeling  that  their  father  viewed  the 
things  of  God — closet  duties,  the  means  of  grace,  the 
growth  of  true  religion  in  the  heart — as  the  things  of 
chief  importance.  The  impression  thus  made,  as  it  was 
never  weakened  by  practical  inconsistency,  gathered 
strength  from  year  to  year,  till  his  last  hours  put  their 
seal  upon  it,  and  gave  it  a  still  more  sacred  character. 

It  was  not,  however,  merely  to  the  partial  eyes  of  his 
own  family,  that  the  private  life  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  was 
thus  peculiarly  attractive.  The  same  influence  was  felt 
by  every  friend  who  partook  of  his  hospitality,  and  by 
the  Christian  strangers  who  might  come  to  him  from  a 
distant  country,  attracted  by  their  knowledge  of  his  writ- 
ings and  public  labors.  All  these  found  a  special  charm 
in  their  visits  to  AVatton  Eectory.  His  presence  diffused 
around  him  an  atmosphere  of  warm  affection  and  holy 
love.  The  present  year,  in  which  he  was  withdrawn  from 
public  work,  was  rich  with  those  privileges  of  Christian 
hospitality.  In  January  he  received  from  his  friend, 
Bishop  Meade,  a  most  affectionate  letter,  in  which  he 
alluded  thus  to  his  own  feelings,  on  the  recollection  of  his 
visit  to  Watton  in  the  previous  summer,  with  his  high 
esteem  for  Mr.  Bickersteth's  works,  and  deep  love  for  his 
whole  family  circle. 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


173 


"  Having  got  through  the  most  pressing  duties,  awaiting  me  on 
my  return,  I  enter  on  the  most  delightful  task  of  writing  to  some 
of  those  Christian  friends,  with  whom  I  held  short,  but  blessed 
fellowship,  while  in  England.  I  think  and  speak  and  write  about 
them,  with  feelings  which  I  number  among  the  happiest  and  best 
that  pass  through  my  heart.  .  .  . 

"  You  have  been  stricken  by  the  hand  of  God,  my  dear 
brother,  and  for  a  time  even  silenced  from  preaching  the  gospel. 
Well,  it  is  the  Lord,  let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good !  He 
has  other  voices  besides  yours,  to  speak  of  His  loving-kindness,  and 
I  doubt  not,  you  rejoice  in  the  thought ;  but  I  trust  that,  long  ere 
this,  yours  is  as  loud  as  ever,  and  will  yet  sound  for  many  years 
as  music  to  the  sinner,  because  it  speaks  of  Christ.  0  the  glorious 
privilege  of  preaching  and  writing,  as  you  have  done,  His  great 
salvation.  I  thought  we  had  all  your  works  in  America,  but  on 
opening  your  parcel,  I  was  overjoyed  at  the  thought  of  the  pleas- 
ure laid  up  for  some  early  day.  Your  hymns  I  have  often  used, 
since  my  return,  in  my  family,  and  your  heads  for  daily  private 
prayer  have  their  turn  with  Leighton  and  Andrews ;  and  thus 
you  are  not  only  in  my  heart  very  often,  but  in  the  hearts  of  my 
family,  and  I  shall  freely  lend  your  books,  as  they  were  freely 
given.  .  .  . 

"  And  now  for  your  dear  family — wife,  daughters,  son,  so  loving 
naturally,  spiritually,  one  to  another.  How  often  do  I  see  you 
all  around  the  table,  conversing,  singing,  praying,  in  anticipation 
of  heaven  !  God  bless  you  all,  especially  your  dear  son,  with 
double  grace  for  the  ministry.  I  shall  see  you  and  all  of  them 
together  one  day,  yet  more  loving,  in  the  presence  of  our  blessed 
Lord  in  heaven.  .  .  .  And  now  may  the  Father  of  mercies  and 
God  of  all  consolation  evermore  be  with  you,  and  all  yours,  is 
the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ  our  gracious 
Redeemer. 

"  W.  Meade." 

In  May  of  this  year  Mr.  Bickersteth  preached  in  Lon- 
don the  Annual  Sermon  of  the  Prayer  Book  and  Homily 
Society,  which  he  published,  soon  after,  with  the  title, 
"the  Permanence  and  Progress  of  Divine  Truth."  It 
was  daring  this  brief  absence  from  home  that  he  first 
met  with  Dr.  Tyng,  then  of  Philadelphia,  and  since  of 


174 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  B1CKERSTETH. 


New  York,  and  invited  him  to  see  him  at  "Watton,  where 
he  paid  two  short  visits  before  his  return  to  America. 
These  were  a  season,  on  both  sides,  of  great  enjoyment. 
In  those  reminiscences  of  England,  which  Dr.  Tyng  after- 
ward wrote  for  his  flock  and  friends  in  America,  he  gives 
the  following  description  of  the  impressions  made  on  him, 
as  a  Christian  stranger,  by  Mr.  Bickersteth's  personal  ap- 
pearance, and  of  his  character  and  influence  in  the  more 
private  sphere  of  parish  duties  and  of  domestic  life. 

"  With  what  delight  I  met  my  revered  and  excellent 
friend,  Mr.  Bickersteth,  you  can  readily  conceive.  Nor 
was  I  disappointed  in  him.  The  sweetness  and  openness 
of  his  manners,  and  the  remarkable  cheerfulness  of  his 
countenance  and  conversation,  Avould  win  the  heart  of 
an  entire  stranger.  To  me  they  were  peculiarly  enchant- 
ing. He  was  apparently  in  very  feeble  health,  stooping 
a  little,  perhaps  from  weakness,  and  indicating,  in  all  his 
aspect,  that  spiritual  character,  and  separation  from  this 
evil  world,  which  so  distinguish  him  as  a  minister  of 
Christ.  .  .  .  The  influence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  is  most  ex- 
tensive. There  is  such  universal  confidence  in  his  re- 
markable excellence  of  judgment  and  integrity  of  purpose 
— such  unfeigned  respect  for  his  real  learning  and  holy 
and  exemplary  ministry — that  there  are  very  few,  if  there 
are  any,  among  the  clergy,  who  have  at  all  an  equal  in- 
fluence over  the  minds  of  others.  He  seems  enshrined  in 
the  affections  of  his  brethren,  and  I  could  not  but  feel  the 
worth  of  such  a  character  as  his,  when  I  heard  him  spoken 
of  by  them  in  private  conversation,  under  the  title  of 
'  dear  Bickersteth.'  .  .  .  All  that  I  saw  of  him  continually 
increased  my  love  for  him  ;  and  cheerfully  would  I  cross 
the  Atlantic  again,  for  the  simple  privilege  of  one  more 
visit  to  Watton.  .  .  . 

"When  we  descended  into  the  quiet  valley,  in  the 
bosom  of  which  this  little  village  rests,  every  spot  awa- 
kened my  increasing  interest.  It  is  a  single  street  of  cot- 
tages, with  no  houses  of  a  higher  character  among  them, 
in  a  narrow  vale,  which  is  crossed  and  watered  by  a  beau- 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


175 


tiful  stream.  On  an  eminence  on  the  right,  before  you 
reach  the  village,  is  Woodhall  Park,  the  seat  of  Abel 
Smith,  Esq.,  a  large,  modern  residence,  looking  more  like 
a  public  than  a  private  edifice,  encompassed  with  very 
extensive  grounds,  in  which  are  large  numbers  of  deer. 
On  the  hill  opposite,  before  you  reach  the  village,  are  the 
church  and  parsonage.  The  former  is  about  500  years 
old,  and  built  of  parts  erected  apparently  in  different 
ages  ;  and,  with  its  ancient  tower  among  the  trees,  it  is  a 
striking  object.  Just  above  it  stands  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Bickersteth,  a  large  and  commodious  house,  in  the 
midst  of  a  neat  and  well-improved  inclosure.  The  exte- 
rior, like  all  the  country  residences,  is  beautiful  from  the 
extreme  neatness  of  the  grounds.  I  walked  up  through 
the  lane  and  churchyard  with  peculiar  interest.  It  was 
the  home  of  a  man  whom  I  have  venerated  and  loved  for 
years,  and  to  whose  writings  I  have  been  indebted  for 
much  important  instruction.  He  was  now  to  be  seen  by 
me  in  private  life,  and  all  the  feelings  of  regard,  which  I 
had  cherished  at  a  distance,  were  confirmed  and  deepened 
by  nearer  observation.  His  manners  are  full  of  kindness 
and  love ;  and  there  is  a  spiritual  character  in  his  con- 
versation, and  a  religious  influence  about  all  he  says  and 
does,  which  is  very  impressive,  and  most  delightful.  He 
is  also  full  of  vivacity  and  life  in  his  conversation,  and 
exhibits  that  most  interesting .  combination  of  gentleness, 
animation,  and  seriousness,  which  gives  a  charm  to  all 
instruction,  and  an  improving  power  even  to  recreation 
and  amusement.  How  truly  delightful  is  it  to  see  him 
in  the  midst  of  a  family,  who  understand  the  value  of  their 
privilege,  and  hang  intently  on  every  word  he  speaks ! 
After  dinner,  on  the  day  of  my  arrival,  which  was  Satur- 
day, there  was  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  library,  when,  at 
the  request  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  I  spoke  to  them  on  a  pas- 
sage of  the  word  of  God.  How  quiet  and  soothing,  how 
solemn  and  impressive,  was  the  influence  of  this  occasion  ; 
and  I  trust  the  blessing  of  God  was  with  us. 

"  The  morning  of  the  Sabbath  opened  upon  us  with 


176  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


freshness  and  beauty.  It  was  the  most  lovely  season  of 
the  year,  in  a  beautiful  part  of  the  country ;  and,  amid 
the  holy  calmness  of  the  day,  every  object  seemed  to 
beam  with  pure  loveliness.  My  windoAv  overlooked  the 
village,  which  lay  sleeping  in  perfect  repose  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill,  and  seemed  the  resting-place  of  quiet  and 
contentment.  .  .  .  After  breakfast,  I  visited  the  Sunday 
and  Infant  School,  which  are  held  in  two  neat  buildings 
erected  by  Mr.  Smith  of  Woodhall,  who  supports  the 
schools  with  much  liberalit}7.  I  was  much  pleased  with  a 
small  Bible-class  of  adults,  who  were  taught  in  the  church, 
and  appeared  to  listen  with  great  interest  and  desire  to 
learn. 

''Mr.  Bickersteth  preached  a  solemn  and  impressive 
sermon,  on  the  offices  and  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The 
congregation,  except  the  Woodhall  family,  seemed  com- 
posed wholly  of  villagers,  and  the  neighboring  farmers, 
and  their  laborers.  It  is  a  rural  parish,  having  about 
eight  hundred  inhabitants,  engaged  in  agriculture ;  but 
they  seemed  a  serious  and  attentive  people,  and  interested 
in  the  evangelical  instructions  of  their  pastor.  I  preached 
to  them  in  the  afternoon,  and  delivered  a  familiar  lecture 
in  the  evening,  at  the  school-house  in  the  village.  It  was 
a  peaceful,  happy  Sabbath,  and  I  could  only  look  back 
upon  it,  as  passing  too  quickly  for  the  pleasure  it  gave. 

My  second  visit  to  Watton  was  a  month  later.  As  I 
stopped  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  my  reverend  friend  and 
his  younger  children,  who  were  with  the  haymakers  in 
the  field  around  the  Church,  came  down  to  meet  me ;  and 
I  felt  myself,  amid  their  greetings,  as  if  at  home.  .  .  We 
passed  the  next  morning,  in  a  long  stroll,  through  the 
grounds  of  Woodhall.  The  walk  was  an  occasion  of 
bringing,  from  the  ample  stores  of  my  companion's  mind,  a 
vast  amount  of  information  and  aid  for  me.  How  exalt- 
ing and  improving  is  such  society !  ...  In  our  walk  Mr. 
B.  had  given  notice  for  a  lecture  in  the  school-house  in 
the  evening.  The  place  was  crowded  with  a  most  atten- 
tive congregation ;  and,  after  I  had  spoken  to  them  the 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  W  ATTON. 


177 


word  of  God,  many  came  around  me  "with  expressions  of 
their  gratitude  and  interest  in  the  addresses  they  had 
heard.  The  next  morning,  before  I  returned  to  London, 
Mr.  B.  had  all  the  children  assembled  in  the  school-room, 
for  another  address  to  them.  I  felt,  at  parting  with  them, 
almost  as  if  they  were  my  own  dear  schools,  they  seemed 
so  glad  to  hear  the  blessed  truth  of  God  from  my  mouth. 
I  parted  with  my  venerated  friend,  and  his  assistant  and 
son,  hardly  daring  to  hope  that  I  should  see  them  again 
in  this  world,  and  lifting  up  my  heart  in  prayer  to  God 
for  a  divine  blessing  to  rest  on  them  all,  for  time  and 
eternity.  In  a  refreshing  letter  which  I  have  lately  re- 
ceived from  him,  he  says :  '  Blessed  be  our  God  and 
Father,  for  all  the  comforts  of  love,  and  fellowship  of 
Spirit  in  Christ.  The  battles  of  the  Lord  are  becoming 
more  hot  and  more  general ;  for  the  Captain  of  our  salva- 
tion is  near,  and  means  soon  to  win  his  last  triumph. 
May  we  live  near  to  Jesus,  believe  all  His  truth,  getting 
more  and  more  knowledge  of  it,  and  confess  it  more  boldly, 
and  that  daily.  I  write  hastily,  but  with  a  heart  full  of 
love.'  " 

The  journal  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  in  this  year,  and  his 
notes  to  his  children  and  other  friends,  while  they  illus- 
trate his  private  character  and  experience,  show  how  the 
illness  of  the  previous  autumn,  so  critical  and  alarming 
in  its  nature,  had  left  an  abiding  impression  on  his  mind 
of  the  nearness  of  eternity. 

"  April  28,  1842.  Still  I  am  spared  and  blessed.  The 
goodness  of  God  endureth  yet  daily.  0  that  Uis  long-suffer- 
ing may  more  and  more  be  my  salvation. 

"  I  still  am  enabled  to  go  on  with  the  Lord's  work.  The 
book  of  'Family  Prayers'  is  completed  and  published. 
God  prosper  the  three  thousand  copies  now  issuing  from 
the  press.  I  am  busy  with  my  '  Prayer-Book  and  Homily 
Sermon,'  which  I  wish  to  make  some  preservative  against 
the  false  doctrines  of  Tractarianism  now  abroad.  The 
Lord  use  it  for  that  end. 

"  But  my  own  soul.    O  that  this  may  never  be  neglect- 

H* 


178 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICK ERSTETH. 


ed.  At  my  time  of  life,  the  probability  is,  that  within 
fifteen  years  I  shall  be  in  the  eternal  world ;  apart  from 
the  possibility  of  being  there  before  the  day  closes.  .  .  .  O 
that  the  time  yet  remaining  of  my  life,  whatever  it  be, 
may  be  wholly  occupied  for  God,  and  my  talents  laid  out 
daily  for  Him !  God  preserve  me  from  taking  any  rest  in 
earthly  things.  Indeed  every  thing  is  shaking.  May  I 
receive  the  kingdom  that  can  not  be  moved,  and  redeem 
the  days.  May  there  be  nothing  between  me  and  God — 
but  peace,  union  and  likeness. 

Watton  Rectory,  April  8. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Smith, 
....  We  much  regretted  not  seeing  you,  but  did  not  think  it 
right  to  encroach  on  the  day  you  had  for  the  country  with  your 
children.  By-and-by  we  shall  meet  in  the  heavenly  kingdom, 
with  nothing  to  impede  full  communion  and  full  joy.  ...  I 
like  to  look  at  the  shortness  of  the  intervening  time ;  at  the  out- 
side, so  many  years,  in  the  probability  so  many,  in  the  possibility, 
not  a  year,  a  month,  a  day,  an  hour.  But  take  the  longest  time, 
look  at  it  in  the  retrospect,  or  at  the  eternal  prospect,  and  what 
a  moment  it  is  !  Surely  nothing  should  be  precious,  compared 
with  the  eternal  inheritance  in  the  Lord  Himself,  so  soon  to  be 
enjoyed.  God  give  us  much  grace,  to  have  all  our  treasure 
there,  or  on  the  way  there,  and  to  be  adding  to  that  treasure 
daily ! 

I  must  pass  Thursday  and  Friday,  May  5  and  6,  in  town,  for  my 
Prayer-Book  and  Homily  Sermon ;  otherwise  I  do  not  purposs 
being  in  London,  or  attending  any  of  the  May  Meetings.  I  find 
quiet  still  important  and  needful,  and  have  declined  the  many 
applications  for  help  that  have  come. 

We  did  think  of  your  child's  birthday,  and  prayed  for  a  bless- 
ing on  it,  Though  I  think  we  enjoy  as  much  of  God's  presence 
in  intercessory  prayer  as  in  any  part  of  our  devotions.  I  find  it  the 
one  which  most  easily  slips  from  its  due  attention.  0  that  we 
were  more  like  Jesus — all  whose  prayer  is  intercession  !  My  heart 
is  indeed  at  times  drawn  out  in  prayer  for  you  and  yours  ;  but  I 
know  it  ought  to  be  much  more  so  ;  and  in  this,  as  in  other  things, 
sins  of  omission  burden  me  ;  but  I  trust  eternity  may  yet  show  a 
truth  and  love  among  Christians,  which  v/as  not  imagined  before. 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


179 


How  delightful  will  be  the  surprise  of  finding  graces,  where  we 
had  only,  from  the  outside  appearance,  discerned  defects,  but  above 
all — at  the  unlbldings  of  the  wisdom,  grace,  and  love,  of  our  Di- 
vine Redeemer ! 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  Blt'KERSTETH. 

The  following  note  was  written  about  the  same  time 
to  his  sister  in  Liverpool,  where  more  than  one  of  his 
brother's  family  had  been  suffering  from  dangerous  ill- 
ness. 

April,  1842. 

My  dearest  K. 
Your  letter  quite  gladdened  our  happy  circle,  as  we  were  at 
breakfast  this  morning.  We  first  saw  a  letter  in  your  hand- 
writing from  Liverpool,  and  then  its  good  tidings  soon  rejoiced  us, 
and  we  thanked  God  together,  in  our  family  worship,  for  the 
prayers  Pie  had  answered.  All  praise  be  to  His  name!  I  am 
sure  you  will  find,  deep  as  the  trial  has  been,  full  streams  of 
blessing  flowing  from  it,  and  that  for  years  to  come.  God  never 
wounds,  but  to  heal  more  entirely,  and  to  give  larger  blessings 
than  we  could  have  had  without  it.  How  thankful  I  ought  to 
be  that  the  little  prayer  I  wrote  for  dearest  E.  was  any  comfort 
to  him  !  The  joy  of  being  useful  to  others  is  a  sweet  reward,  and 
we  shall  reap  it  yet  more  fully  in  the  coming  kingdom  of  our 
Redeemer. 

Through  mercy,  we  are  well.  Perhaps  the  Lord  may  yet  spare 
F.  to  us,  but  all  His  ways  are  right.  Dearest  Robert's  health  is 
so  precious  to  us  all,  that  we  shall  rejoice  to  hear  of  its  being  re- 
established. May  we  look  forward  to  your.spending  three  or  four 
weeks  with  us  in  the  summer  ?  I  am  afraid  it  is  a  vision,  but  it 
is  too  pleasant  not  to  be  welcome  ;  and  if  a  change  of  scene  would 
be  useful  to  you  all,  possibly  the  vision  may  become  a  reality.  I 
do  not  travel  for  any  Society  this  year. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  June  25, 1842.  The  last  month  has  been  one  of  many 
mercies.    We  have  had  our  relatives  from  Norwich  with 


180 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWAKD  BICKEKSTETH. 


us,  Dr.  Tyng  from  America,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Auriol,  and 
their  family.    .  . 

"  An  Abridgment  of  the  '  Treatise  on  Baptism'  is  pass- 
ing through  the  press ;  and  I  have  been  distributing 
largely  the  '  Prayer-Book  and  Homily  Sermon,'  and  my 
'  Family  Prayers.' 

"  July  29.  Amid  many  and  great  infirmities,  my  soul  is 
advancing  onward  to  its  eternal  home.  The  good  Lord 
pardon  the  transgressions  of  each  day,  and  each  hour. 

"  God  has  given  the  book  of  '  Family  Prayers'  a  rapid 
circulation.  The  whole  edition  of  three  thousand  two 
hundred  and  fifty  copies  have  been  parted  with  in  about 
three  months.    What  a  responsibility  this  brings  with  it ! 

0  Lord,  forgive  all  the  errors  and  many  defects,  and  ac- 
cept the  poor,  feeble,  unworthy  attempts  to  do  Thee  ser- 
vice, sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  .  .  . 

"The  'Christian  Student' occupies  me  at  present.  It 
is  a  laborious  work,  and  I  fear  less  practically  useful  than 
others,  but  I  seem  called  to  revise  it.  .  .  . 

"August  27.  How  many  and  how  great  are  Thy  mer- 
cies, day  by  day.  My  children,  C.  F.  and  E.,  have  been 
carried  through  their  journeys  with  many  blessings.  Mr., 
Mrs.,  and  Miss  Pratt  have  been  staying  with  us.  We 
visited  dear  Christian  friends  at  Dyrham  Park,  and  have 
now  the  Faithfulls  staying  with  us.  The  Lord  is  full  of 
love  in  all  His  ways.    And  how  is  this  enhanced,  when 

1  look  at  my  own  unprofitableness !  That  God  should 
deal  so  graciously  with  one  so  vile,  may  well  be  my  song 
forever. 

"  I  have  great  cause  for  thanksgiving  in  the  happy 
death  of  M.  C,  one  of  my  flock.  She  was  only  nineteen, 
but  through  her  sickness  glorified  the  Lord.  She  wished 
to  see  me  before  death,  and  as  I  finished  my  last  prayer, 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus.    To  God  be  the  glory. 

"  And  I  am  no  more  zealous,  no  more  diligent  in  my 
ministry !  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me — have  mercy 
upon  me  ;  quicken  me  for  Thy  mercies'  sake.  Make  me 
a  faithful,  laborious,  self-denying  minister  to  Watton. 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


181 


"  0  that  I  may  be  led  more  to  act  on  new  principles, 
earlier  rising,  more  regular  arrangement  of  time,  more 
wise  instruction  in  visiting,  more  close  walking  with 
God,  more  diligent  waiting  on  Him  ! 

"  0  how  much  more  might  be  done  for  God  by  me  /  I 
think  sometimes  how  much  more  my  country  might  do 
for  God.  0  that  I  did  but  think  more  of  what  I  could 
do,  and  set  about  doing  it !  Lord,  make  me  diligent  with 
my  own  proper  talents.  Let  me  not  be  looking  elsewhere, 
to  think  of  other  men's  duties,  but  at  home.  Make  me,  I 
beseech  Thee,  widely  useful !" 

"  September  24.  I  do  hope  that  there  has  been  a  little 
fresh  impulse  given  to  duties  in  the  last  month,  but  it 
must,  be  another  standard  yet,  before  my  life  glorifies  God 
as  a  faithful  parish  minister.  .  .  . 

"  The  Lord  has  been  very  gracious  to  our  country  in  an 
abundant  harvest,  and  in  putting  down  the  disturbances 
in  the  manufacturing  districts.  Surely  we  have  all  rea- 
son to  praise  His  name  for  our  many,  many,  national 
mercies. 

"  The  general  aspect  of  the  world  is  but  dark  and 
gloomy.  Men  live  so  far  from  God,  and  His  Churches 
are  so  corrupt,  both  Roman,  Greek,  and  Reformed,  that 
we  can  look  for  nothing  but  judgments.  Yet  mercy  shall 
finally  rejoice  over  judgment.  0  God,  I  ask  for  special 
wisdom  to  know  how  to  judge  and  act  in  every  thing,  ac- 
cording to  Thy  mind. 

"  October  30.  I  returned  from  Brighton  last  night,  to 
partake  of  the  communion  with  my  beloved  flock — we 
had  seventy-five. 

"  I  have  been  called  to  preach  the  fifth  of  November 
Sermon  for  the  Protestant  Association,  and  have  given 
much  time  to  prepare  it.  It  is  from  Rev.  xvi.  the  Sixth 
Vial,  or  the  Divine  Warning  to  the  Church  at  this  time. 
The  Lord  graciously  prosper  it  for  good.  The  times  are 
very  threatening,  and  the  present  tranquillity  most  pre- 
carious. 

O  Lord,  help  the  preacher,  at  least,  to  mind  Thy 


182 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


warning,  and  may  his  words  also  be  blessed  to  very 
many." 

A  short  note  during  his  visit  to  General  Marshall  here 
alluded  to,  shows  his  own  restoration  to  health,  and  his 
employment  during  his  absence : — 

Brighton,  October  22. 

My  dear  F. 

I  can  not  write  thee  much  ;  for  when  thou  seest  my  long  ser- 
mon in  print,  thou  wilt  say,  truly  Papa  wrote  enough  at  Brighton. 

Through  mercy,  I  and  your  sister  are  as  well  as  troopers,  and 
mount  hills  and  skip  over  downs  with  all  alacrity.  But  we  have 
one  sad  drawback.  Your  Mamma  still  suffers  much,  and  this 
has  been  a  suffering  day.  So  we  all  need,  at  the  Divinely-ap- 
pointed time,  the  cross  to  prepare  for  the  crown.  0  what  a 
crown !  if  we  are  but  faithful  to  Jesus.  All  but  this  is  a  gaudy 
vanity. 

.  .  .  You  must  take  all  care  about  your  cold.    I  shall  rejoice 
to  resume  all  our  old  habits.  With  a  heart  full  of  love  to  you  all, 
Your  affectionate  Father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Two  notes  to  his  kind  friend,  after  his  return,  show  the 
chief  works  which  employed  him  toward  the  close  of  this 
year  of  retirement. 

Watton  Rectory,  November  10. 

My  dearest  General, 

...  I  have  had  so  much  to  do  for  our  Master  since  I  came 
home,  that  I  see  clearly  it  was  my  duty  to  return  when  I  did. 

God  graciously  carried  me  through  the  sermon,  which  I  deliv- 
ered on  Saturday.  I  have  this  morning  corrected  the  first  proof, 
and  hope  next  week  to  send  you  some  copies  for  Brighton.  It  has 
already  made  a  considerable  stir.  May  it  strengthen  God's  dear 
children,  to  withstand  the  temptations  of  these  days,  and  what 
cause  I  shall  have  to  bless  Him ! 

I  am  anxious  about  the  giving  up  Malta  in  the  Mediterranean 
Mission.  It  is  like  withdrawing  our  troops  from  Hougomont  in 
the  battle  of  Waterloo.    Wellington  said,  we  must  all  die  first. 

I  am  going  to  preach  for  the  London  Young  Men's  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society  on  Tuesday  evening. 


PRIVATE  LIFE  AT  WATTON. 


183 


The  remembrance  of  your  kindness  is  still,  and  will  always  be, 
most  grateful.    Hearty  love  from  all  here. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  November  18. 
.  .  .  Through  mercy  I  got  well  through  the  Young  Men's 
Sermon — a  large  congregation  and  good  collection  ;  and  what  is 
better,  I  believe  a  spirit  of  zeal  and  love  kindled.  I  have  been 
attending  three  very  interesting  prophetic  meetings  at  Mr.  Vil- 
liers'.  I  hope  we  mutually  helped  each  other.  We  are  going  to 
have  twelve  Second-Advent  Lectures  at  St.  George's,  Blooms- 
bury.  .  .  . 

The  Lord  will  confound  all  our  enemies.  Only  may  He  give 
us  the  spirit  of  our  dear  Master — the  meekness  of  wisdom — the 
gentleness  of  Christ — all  His  love — with  all.  His  boldness,  zeal 
and  decision.    Kindest  remembrances  to  dear  Mrs.  M. 

Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  season  of  comparative  retirement  had  not  been 
given  in  vain,  and  was  now  plainly  drawing  to  its  close. 
Public  events,  the  wants  of  the  Church,  and  his  own  ardor, 
thrust  him  forth  again  into  the  harvest-field.  But  his 
spirit  had  been  ripened  by  chastening  ;  and,  refreshed  by 
months  of  more  quiet  labor,  and  in  various  communion 
in  private  with  Christian  friends,  and  of  sweet  fellowship 
with  his  God  and  Savior,  he  was  prepared  to  contend 
earnestly  for  the  Gospel  of  Christ  in  troublous  times,  with 
the  boldness  of  assured  faith,  and  with  growing  meekness 
of  heavenly  wisdom. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


VAKIOUS  CHURCH  QUESTIONS. 
A.  D.  1843. 

The  eventful  character  of  the  times,  and  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth's  own  fervent  spirit,  soon  called  him  to  resume  his 
post  as  a  public  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and  a 
watchman  to  the  Church  of  Christ.  His  sermon  on  Nov. 
5,  1843,  was  soon  afterward  published,  with  the  title  "  The 
Divine  Warning,"  and  speedily  obtained  a  very  wide  cir- 
culation, attracting  more  than  usual  interest  with  thought- 
ful minds.  His  text  was  Rev.  xvi.  13-15.  He  viewed 
those  words,  in  the  imagery  of  the  Sixth  Vial,  as  a  pro- 
phetic description  of  recent  and  of  passing  events ;  and 
that  the  spread  of  lawlessness,  infidelity,  and  superstition, 
in  Chartism,  Socialism,  and  open  or  half-disguised  Popery, 
were  a  striking  fulfillment  of  them  before  the  eyes  of  all 
men.  With  such  convictions  as  to  the  true  nature  of  the 
spiritual  conflict  then  in  progress  on  every  side,  he  could 
not  bury  himself  in  the  retirement  of  his  parish  and 
domestic  circle.  On  the  contrary,  he  felt  bound,  with  re- 
covered strength  and  increasing  zeal,  to  use  the  influence 
which  God  had  now  given  him,  in  bearing  witness  against 
dangerous  errors ;  and  to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith 
once  for  all  delivered  to  the  saints,  against  open  infidelity, 
ecclesiastical  formalism,  and  the  counterfeits  of  self-reli- 
gious superstition.  His  reflections,  at  the  close  of  the 
year,  show  the  spirit  with  which  he  entered  on  these  diffi- 
cult and  arduous  duties. 

"  December  24,  1842.  .  .  .  The  whole  world  is  now  at 


BIRTH-DAY  OF  1843. 


185 


peace.  It  looks  like  the  calm  before  the  storm — the 
pause  before  the  judgment. 

"  0  my  God,  preserve  me  from  evil !  preserve  me  from 
displeasing  Thee  !  Keep  me  pure  from  the  pollutions  on 
every  side.  I  see  much  evil  in  all  around ;  and  doubtless 
there  is  much  in  myself,  which  I  see  not.  Prepare  me 
for  Thy  service,  and  bless  me  in  it.  In  contending  with 
error,  keep  me  from  its  many  temptations  ;  from  magni- 
fying the  evil  of  the  error  ;  from  want  of  love  to  those  in 
error  ;  from  partial  views  of  truth,  and  from  every  snare ! 
0  may  the  close  of  this  year  be  much  blessed  to  me,  to 
my  family,  and  to  my  parish." 

The  reflections  written  on  his  next  birth-da}r,  show  his 
deep  impression  of  the  eventful  character  of  the  times,  and 
his  earnest  longing  for  special  wisdom  in  the  fulfillment 
of  his  own  public  duties. 

"  March  19.  .  .  .  Never  did  I  live  in  so  awakening  and 
trying  a  time.  The  Church  of  Scotland  is  shaking  to  its 
foundations,  and  the  Church  of  England  is  so  inwardly 
divided,  that  a  schism  seems  inevitable.  It  looks  like  a 
great  breaking-up  year;  and  my  situation  has  been  so 
public,  and  I  have  in  God's  providence  been  called  to  take 
such  a  part  in  the  cause  of  Christ  generally,  that  I  desire 
most  deeply  to  feel  my  responsibility,  and  the  importance 
of  every  step  which  I  take ;  that  I  may  not  be  ashamed 
of  the  Gospel — that  I  may  be  bold  in  our  God  to  testify  it 
— that  I  may  discern  'the  things  that  differ — that  I  may 
be  wise  as  a  serpent,  and  harmless  as  a  dove — that  I  may 
not  needlessly  occasion  division,  but  be  of  a  peace-making, 
and  peace-loving  spirit,  while  I  hold  and  diffuse  His  truth. 
0  God,  my  God,  help  me !  for  Thou  knowest  how  weak  I 
am ;  and  without  Thy  aid  every  moment  I  can  not  but 
fall.  0  then,  grant  that,  by  Thy  aid,  I  may  be  made 
wise  and  strong,  holy  and  loving,  meet  every  difficulty, 
and  so  be  a  full  blessing  to  Thy  Church  !  Mine  eyes  are 
up  unto  Thee,  in  this  great  and  critical  time,  for  heavenly 
guidance,  holy  boldness,  fervent  love,  a  sound  judgment, 
and  a  devoted  heart ! 


186 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWAKU  BICKEKSTETH. 


"I  can  not  conceive  how  those  who  groan,  as  I  do, 
under  formality  and  deadness  of  heart  in  outward  ser- 
vices, can  press  them  so  much  as  men  are  now  doing. 
My  daily  grief  and  sorrow  is,  that  I  so  little  walk  with 
God,  even  in  forms  of  worship,  that  my  prayers .  are  my 
sin  and  my  burthen.  I  dare  not  seek  the  incessant  multi- 
plication of  the  form,  lest  I  should  become  wholly  dead 
and  formal." 

He  was  soon  called  to  exercise  those  difficult  graces  for 
which  he  had  prayed  so  earnestly.  Seven  years  before, 
in  his  remarks  on  the  Progress  of  Popery,  he  had  pointed 
out,  in  gentle,  but  forcible  terms,  the  true  character  and 
tendency  of  the  Tractarian  movement.  It  had  now  pro- 
ceeded so  far  as  to  threaten  the  total  corruption  or  disrup- 
tion of  the  Church  of  England.  The  avowals  in  No.  XC, 
the  open  adoption  of  nearly  all  Popish  doctrines,  by  those 
who  still  claimed  to  be  leaders  in  a  Protestant  Church ; 
and  the  vague,  neutral,  indecisive  course,  pursued  by  too 
many  of  the  bishops,  created  a  serious  question  of  con- 
science among  those  who  loved  the  Church  of  England 
for  the  Gospel's  sake,  of  which  they  held  her  to  be  the 
national  witness,  and  the  appointed  and  honored  guar- 
dian. Some  of  the  Church  Societies  acted  on  the  rule, 
that  they  were  not  responsible  for  the  teaching  of  the 
clergy  whom  they  maintained  ;  and  that  such  inquiries 
belonged  solely  to  the  bishop  of  the  diocese  where  each 
of  them  might  be  laboring.  This  principle,  however 
untenable  on  Scriptural  grounds,  would  have  involved 
little  practical  danger,  had  all  the  bishops  been  decided 
in  their  adherence  to  Reformation-truth,  and  if  no  serious 
falling  away  had  occurred  within  the  Church's  own 
bosom.  But  when  a  conspiracy  to  unprotestantize  it  had 
been  openly  avowed,  and  was  in  constant  operation, 
maintained  by  systematic  evasions  of  its  public  code  of 
doctrine,  and  when  the  whole  cycle  of  Romish  teaching 
and  practices  was  gradually  introduced,  while  some  of  the 
bishops  maintained  a  timid  silence,  and  some  flattered 
and  abetted  the  growing  evil,  grave  doubts  could  not  fail 


SOCIETY  FOR  PROPAGATING  THE  GOSPEL.  187 


to  arise,  whether  any  Society,  which  abdicated  the  chief 
part  of  its  responsibilit}'  by  such  a  rule  of  action,  could  be 
fitly  trusted  with  the  free-will  offerings  of  consistent 
Churchmen. 

Early  in  1843  this  question  arose  in  the  Society  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel.  Some  recent  disclosures  of  evil 
had  increased  the  jealousy,  to  which  its  professed  rule  of 
conduct  naturally  exposed  it,  at  such  a  time,  in  the  minds 
of  those  who  valued  the  purity  of  the  gospel  far  above 
any  ecclesiastical  forms.  Along  with  Mr.  Pratt,  Mr. 
Close,  and  many  others,  both  clergymen  and  laymen,  Mr. 
Bickersteth  was  in  serious  doubt  whether  he  could  con- 
tinue a  member  of  the  Society,  without  a  distinct  pledge 
that  the  Committee  would  not  knowingly  employ  any 
clergyman,  who  held  and  propagated  Tractarian  opinions, 
instead  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  A  correspondence  en- 
sued of  some  length,  which  he  afterward  published.  The 
Committee  made  a  declaration,  less  distinct  than  the  crisis 
required,  that  they  would  adhere  to  the  plain  sense  of  the 
Articles  and  Liturgy,  as  their  rule  of  examination;  and  a 
Circular  was  issued  by  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops,  ex- 
pressing their  confidence  in  the  Society.  Mr.  Bickersteth, 
although  by  no  means  fully  satisfied,  conceived  that  the 
public  pledge  thus  given  was  sufficient  to  warrant  him  in 
continuing  a  member  of  the  Society,  while  the  openings 
were  so  vast,  and  so  many  faithful  and  zealous  laborers 
were  sustained  by  it ;  and  his  example  was  followed  by 
most  of  those  who  had  shared  his  own  scruples.  One  or 
two  of  his  letters  at  the  time  will  best  explain  his  motives, 
and  the  spirit  of  faithfulness  to  the  Gospel,  and  love  to 
the  cause  of  missions,  which  guided  him  both  in  his  pro- 
test and  his  final  decision.  The  first  of  these,  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Society,  explains  the  reasons  and  conditions 
of  his  adherence. 

Watton  Rectory,  March  31,  1843. 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  reply  of  the  30th  to  mine  of  the  16th,  with 
the  circular  containing  the  letter  of  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops. 


188  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Nothing  can  be  more  satisfactory  than  the  Committee's  state- 
ment of  their  adherence  to  the  plain  and  grammatical  meaning 
of  our  Articles  and  Liturgy  ;  and,  strengthened  as  this  statement 
has  been  to  me  by  other  communications,  which  justify  me  in 
cherishing  the  hope  that  there  is  more  anxious  care  exercised  in 
ascertaining  the  religious  views  of  candidates,  than  the  Committee 
may  feel  themselves  at  liberty  to  profess  ;  and  not  doubting  that 
what  has  taken  place  will  confirm  this  anxiety,  I  do  not  feel  that 
I  am  at  present  under  the  painful  necessity  of  withdrawing  from 
the  Society.  Its  object  is  unspeakably  dear  to  all  Christians, 
being  that  for  which  they  are  taught  by  our  Lord  daily  to  pray, 
so  that  it  should  be  a  very  plain  case  of  departure  from  its  great 
design,  to  make  me  separate. 

In  continuing,  however,  my  support  to  the  Society,  it  is  dye  to 
myself  and  to  the  truth  to  say,  it  is  done  with  this  understanding, 
that  it  is  the  real  purpose  of  the  Committee  to  send  forth  minis- 
ters, cordially  attached  to  the  doctrines  of  our  Church  in  their 
plain  and  literal  sense.  Departure  from  this  line  of  proceeding 
will  disable  me,  in  real  consistency  of  conduct,  from  continuing 
to  be  a  member. 

At  the  same  time  I  regret  to  say,  I  differ  materially  from  the 
Society  in  that  part  of  their  reply,  which  declines  making  inquiry 
on  points  involved  in  the  controversies  of  the  present  day.  This 
seems,  in  its  natural  meaning,  to  contradict  the  other  parts  of  the 
letter.  It  is  not  past,  but  present  errors,  which  require  vigilance 
on  the  part  of  the  Committee.  The  mere  existence  or  prevalence 
of  views,  which  do  oppose  the  plain  and  literal  sense  of  the  Ar- 
ticles, will  of  course  make  them  come  under  the  definition,  a 
controversy  of  the  present  day.  Caution  against  any  error  would 
thus  be  set  aside  in  every  case,  at  the  only  time  when  it  is  prac- 
tically needed.  When  Arianism  was  unhappily  a  controversy  in 
our  own  Church  in  the  last  centuiy,  this  only  made  it  more  need- 
ful for  a  responsible  Church  Society  to  guard  against  sending  out 
Arian  Missionaries.  And  when  there  is  an  avowed  design  of  un- 
protestantizing  the  Church,  and  an  open  attempt  to  turn  the  Ar- 
ticles from  their  plain  and  literal  sense,  the  existence  of  the  con- 
troversy, instead  of  being  a  valid  reason  for  refusing  to  inquire  on 
such  points,  appears  to  me  to  make  the  duty  more  plainly  imper- 
ative than  ever. 

The  letters  of  approbation,  with  which  the  Society  has  been 


SOCIETY  FOR  PROPAGATING  THE  GOSPEL. 


189 


favored  from  our  Archbishops  and  Bishops,  are  strong  testimonies 
to  the  importance  of  the  ohject,  and  its  general  claims  on  the 
support  of  Churchmen.  Their  expressions  of  confidence  in  the 
judgment  and  proceedings  of  the  Committee,  ought,  doubtless,  to 
have  considerable  weight.  At  the  same  time,  I  may  be  permit- 
ted to  observe,  that  but  few  of  them  bear  on  the  precise  object 
of  this  correspondence  ;  and  in  those  which  do  refer  to  it,  the 
approval  seems  to  be  founded  on  differing  principles.  One  ground 
of  confidence  is,  that  the  Society  has  never  abandoned  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Reformation ;  but  another  considers  indifference  to 
party  distinctions  as  one  of  the  excellencies  of  the  Society.  At 
a  time  when  a  purpose  has  been  avowed  openly,  to  recede  further 
and  further  from  the  principles  of  the  English  Reformation,  these 
two  grounds  appear  to  me  inconsistent,  and  I  can  only  fully  con- 
cur with  the  former. 

I  am  led  to  this  expression  of  partial  dissent,  only  from  a  sense 
of  the  supreme  importance  of  the  principles  at  issue  ;  and  that 
no  names,  however  venerable,  and  no  hopes  however  reasonable 
or  charitable,  can  secure  the  cordial  co-operation  of  members, 
conscientiously  attached  to  the  doctrines  of  our  Church,  without 
a  consistent,  practical  adherence  to  the  principles  laid  down  in 
the  other  part  of  your  letter. 

It  is  really  painful  to  me  to  have  principles  in  question,  when 
I  should  rejoice  to  give  myself  to  efforts  for  relieving  that  need 
which  is  so  urgent.  Yet  I  can  not  but  hope  that  these  differ- 
ences, and  this  need,  may  both  help  the  great  cause.  All  our 
religious  societies  greatly  suffer  from  general  ignorance,  as  well 
as  from  general  indifference.  England  as  yet  does  nothing  for 
missions,  to  what  might  be  done,  were  British  hearts  really  alive 
to  the  magnitude  and  blessedness  of  the  work.  The  conflicts 
through  which  our  Societies  have  to  make  their  way,  will,  I 
trust,  both  purify  and  advance  them  :  and  while  they  adhere 
to  the  truth,  will  help  on  their  full  success.  I  doubt  not,  I  speak 
the  feeling  of  revered  fathers  and  brethren  in  connection  with 
the  Society,  when  I  say,  the  more  open  we  are  in  the  confession 
of  the  great  and  peculiar  truths  of  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God,  the  more  He,  our  blessed  Redeemer,  from  whom  alone  all 
success  must  come,  will  prosper  our  Society  ;  and  the  more  en- 
tirely will  His  people  yield  their  talents  of  every  kind,  and  their 
fervent  prayers,  to  that  which  will  then  be  so  manifestly  His  own 


190 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BTCKERSTETII. 


cause.  While  on  lesser  points  we  ought  to  be  forbearing,  on 
great  matters,  affecting  the  foundation,  we  can  have  no  neu- 
trality. 

My  name  having  been  published,  without  my  knowledge,  as 
having  left  the  Society,  it  appeared  to  me  due  to  the  Society,  as 
well  as  myself,  for  me  to  communicate  publicly  this  official  cor- 
respondence ;  more  especially  as  I  am  able  to  adhere  to  it ;  and 
my  trust  is,  that  friends,  over  whom  I  have  influence,  may  thus 
be  prevented  from  leaving  it,  or  be  disposed,  if  they  have  left  it, 
to  join  it  again,  on  the  principles  thus  fully  stated.  I  should  have 
felt  more  confidence  in  this  hope,  if  the  answer  of  the  Society  had 
been  more  unequivocal.  With  hearty  wishes  for  its  highest  pros- 
perity, in  the  firm  maintenance,  and  wide  diffusion,  of  the  blessed 
gospel  of  our  Lord,  I  am 

Yours  faithfully, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Rev.  A.  Campbell. 

Two  letters,  one  of  them  four  days  earlier,  and  the 
other  a  week  later,  to  one  of  the  Bishops,  whose  judgment 
had  especial  weight  with  him,  explains  still  further  his 
feelings  in  this  delicate  and  important  business. 

March  27,  1843. 

My  dear  Lord  Bishop, 

Your  letter  of  the  25th  has  greatly  relieved  my  mind  on  that, 
on  which  all  true  Christians  must  have  a  common  interest,  the 
preservation  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  in  its  purity.  The  answer  of 
the  Society  to  Mr.  Percival,  in  December,  led  me  and  many  others 
distinctly  to  the  conviction,  that  the  Committee  were  indifferent 
to  the  heretical  perversions  of  the  gospel,  which  your  Lordship, 
as  well  as  many  other  heads  of  our  Church,  had  distinctly  con- 
demned ;  and  hence  to  view  ourselves,  while  members  of  the  So- 
ciety, as  maintainers  of  those  perversions,  which  made  it  impossible 
for  us,  so  thinking,  conscientiously  to  support  it.  Your  Lordship's 
letter  has  done,  what  could  hardly  have  been  done  so  satisfactorily 
from  any  other  quarter — restored  real  confidence  in  the  purposes 
of  the  Committee  on  this  subject. 

I  should  rejoice  yet  more,  if  the  Committee  had  taken  the  de- 
cided part  which  your  Lordship  has  done  :  but  I  would  make  full 


PROTEST  AGAINST  TRACTARIANISM.  191 


allowance  for  the  many  difficulties  of  tlieir  situation  ;  and  on  re- 
ceiving the  letter  to  which  your  Lordship  refers,  will  write  to  the 
Society,  and  shall  he  indeed  thankful,  not  to  be  obliged  to  with- 
draw. Suspension,  not  separation,  is  both  Mr.  Pratt's  and  my 
own  present  position ;  and  it  is  the  more  anxious  and  distressing, 
as  it  has  been  made  public,  and  our  conduct  affects  so  many  others. 
The  Lord  give  us  the  full  blessing  of  all  the  beatitudes,  and  the 
crown  of  all,  "  the  peacemakers."  I  have  the  honor  to  be — very 
gratefully  and  faithfully, 

Your  Lordship's  obliged  servant, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  April  6. 

My  Lord, 

Having  been  indebted  to  your  Lordship's  letter  for  much  of  my 
ability  to  come  to  the  purpose  of  adhering  to  the  Society,  I  inclose 
you  the  correspondence  I  have  published.  0  may  our  God  give  us 
all,  realizing  faith  in  the  unutterable  importance  of  confessing  and 
maintaining  His  own  Truth  !  Soon  we  shall  all  stand  in  judg- 
ment hefore  Him,  and  every  thing  but  His  favor  he  found  to  be 
vanity  ;  and  that  favor  is  deeply  and  closely  connected  with  hold- 
ing the  truth  in  love.  I  douht  not  your  Lordship  fully  sympa- 
thizes in  this,  and  have  the  honor  to  he, 

Very  faithfully  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

While  this  correspondence  was  in  progress,  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  was  also  taking  an  active  part  in  a  direct  Frotest 
against  Tractarianism,  which  was  published  soon  after, 
with  the  signatures  of  more  than  four  thousand  of  the 
clergy.  At  a  time,  when  the  whole  system  of  Romish  doc- 
trine was  being  propagated  within  the  bosom  of  the  Church, 
and  the  infection  was  spreading  wider  every  day,  he  felt 
that  longer  silence,  on  the  part  of  the  Protestant  and  Evan- 
gelical Clergy,  would  be  a  grievous  neglect  of  the  plainest 
duty,  and  that  some  combined  testimony  was  needed,  to 
clear  "them  from  partaking  in  the  sin  of  others.  Some  pas- 
sages in  a  letter  written  on  this  subject  to  a  beloved  friend, 
who  preferred  a  different  wording  of  the  Protest,  and  feared 
evil  consequences  from  the  number  who  would  not  sign, 


192  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


are  characteristic  of  his  faithfulness  and  affection  in  carry- 
ing on  a  difficult  and  responsible  work. 

March  25,  1843. 

My  beloved  Brother, 

....  The  matter  on  which  we  chiefly  differ  is  here.  You 
are  fearful  that,  if  our  numbers  are  only  4  or  5000,  the  remain- 
ing 10  or  1 1,000  will  be  claimed  by  the  Tractarians,  and  the  issue 
be  perilous  to  the  truth.  Dear  brother,  this  is  not  right.  This 
is  not  the  new  man,  but  the  old  ;  you  know  it  as  well  as  I  do. 
Twelve  Apostles  won  the  day,  and  the  little  flock  prevailed  over 
the  Roman  Empire.  It  is  truth,  not  numbers,  that  prevails,  and 
this  is  simply  a  testimony  to  the  truth,  and  it  will  and  must  grow 
and  spread  and  triumph,  because  it  is  truth. 

There  is  no  fear  of  the  effect  upon  those  who  do  not  sign  it,  and 
who  dislike  Tractarianism,  nor  of  the  boastings  of  Tractarians 
over  us  on  account  of  it.  Those  who  are  true-hearted  men,  like 
my  dear  brother,  will  only  be  stirred  up  to  use  their  own  artillery 
with  double  energy  ;  those  who  are  indifferent  will  be  compelled 
in  the  end  to  choose  one  side  or  other,  and  our  Lord  shows  us, 
lukewarmness  is  the  worst  state  His  professing  servants  can  be 
in.  The  boasting  will  be  very  short.  But,  in  the  meanwhile, 
we  are  relieving  and  gladdening  many  a  faithful  brother,  longing 
for  a  public  opportunity  of  testifying  his  adherence,  before  the 
Church,  to  the  great  truths  of  the  Reformation.  We  are  getting 
many  a  confession  of  Christ  and  his  truth.  We  are  taking  a  first 
step  toward  a  greater  and  fuller  union  of  His  faithful  servants. 
We  are  learning  of  many  we  before  knew  not,  who  are  on  the 
Lord's  side.  And  by-and-by  we  shall  be  led  to  a  longer,  fuller, 
and  more  distinct  testimony  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

.  .  .  Our  brethren  will  allow  to  us  that  faith  is  the  best  wis- 
dom, and  to  be  bold  in  our  God,  and  in  the  confession  of  his 
truth,  the  most  judicious  course,  in  days  when  abounding  error 
would  confound  light  and  darkness,  and  bring  us  back  again  to 
the  Apostasy.  O  how  guilty  shall  we  be,  if  we  are  not  now  valiant 
for  the  truth !    You  go  along  with  every  word  of 

Your  very  affectionate  brother, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


In  a  letter,  written  April  10,  to  another  friend,  who 


THE  OPIUM  TRADE. 


193 


had  been  discouraged,  by  the  opposition  of  his  own  bishop, 
from  procuring  signatures  to  the  Protest,  he  wrote  as 
follows : —  „ 

It  is  not  a  thing  lawful  thus  to  forbid  us  to  fulfill  our  ordina- 
tion vow.  The  end  is  imperative,  the  means  are  lawful,  and  a 
faithful  testimony  to  the  truth  never  can  strengthen  error. 

But  why  are  we  so  afraid  of  contending  for  the  faith  once  de- 
livered to  the  saints  ?  Has  not  our  Savior  himself  told  us,  I 
came  not  to  send  peace,  but  a  sword  ?  has  He  not  shown  us  that 
the  worst  kind  of  peace  is  when  the  strong  man  armed  keepeth 
his  house  ;  and  that  he  must  be  dispossessed  by  One  stronger  than 
he,  coming  upon  him  ?  Why  are  we  so  afraid  of  numbers  against 
us,  and  few  for  us  ?  Is  not  the  very  character  of  our  faith,  vic- 
tory over  the  world,  and  the  very  description  of  the  Church,  a 
little  flock  ?  If  the  first  disciples,  if  the  Reformers,  had  acted  on 
such  views,  where  would  Christian  truth  have  now  been  ?  We 
expected  the  measure  to  be  much  spoken  against,  because  it  is  a 
faithful  stand  for  real  Church  principles,  that  is,  God's  own  truth, 
against  heretical  perversion  of  the  gospel.  But  we  have  counted 
the  cost,  and  can  not  and  will  not  draw  back,  and  discourage  the 
hearts  of  faithful  brother  ministers. 

.  .  .  Thus,  my  dear  friend,  with  faith,  courage,  and  prayer, 
you  may  more  than  recover  all  you  have  lost.  No  human 
authority  can  lawfully  silence  our  testimony  to  the  truth.  We 
are  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  and  of  men  for  His  sake.  Our 
chief  authority  is  from  Him,  and  Ave  are  mainly  responsible  to 
Him.  We  must  therefore  follow  His  directions,  so  plainly  and 
so  fully  given  in  His  word,  to  confess  His  truth  boldly  and  openly, 
whoever  gainsays  or  resists,  to  be  valiant  for  it,  and  especially  at 
a  time  when  it  is  perverted,  and  turned  into  deadly  poison. 

I  know  you  concur  with  me,  and  God  himself  guide,  strengthen, 
comfort,  and  bless  you,  prays, 

Yours  very  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Early  in  the  Session  of  1843,  Lord  Ashley  brought  for- 
ward a  motion  in  Parliament,  condemnatory  of  the 
Opium  traffic ;  that  foul  stain  on  our  national  character, 
which  was  the  immediate  occasion  of  the  war  with  China, 

vol.  n. — i 


191  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


and  still  continues  the  grand  stumbling-block  of  Satan,  to 
dishonor  the  name  of  Christ,  and  hinder  all  missionary 
efforts,  in  that  immense  empire.  The  motion  was  unhap- 
pily unsuccessful,  and  Mammon  prevailed  in  high  places 
over  the  fear  of  God  and  the  love  of  man.  Mr.  Bieker- 
steth  felt  himself  bound,  for  the  honor  of  the  gospel,  to 
depart  from  his  usual  silence  on  political  questions,  espe- 
cially when  the  pleas  of  worldly  men  seemed  to  have  in- 
fected some  Christian  minds.  He  protested,  in  a  public 
letter,  against  the  heinous  national  sin,  and  against  the 
folly  of  those  arguments,  which  would  palliate  and  excuse 
a  great  public  crime,  by  the  prevalence  of  other  iniquities. 
Such  reasonings,  he  justly  observed,  as  they  tamper  with 
the  great  Christian  principles  of  the  gospel,  would,  if 
generally  adopted,  poison  the  very  fountains  of  public 
morality. 

A  few  days  after  bearing  public  testimony  to  the  great 
principles  of  national  morality,  he  wrote  the  following  to 
a  young  friend  in  his  own  parish,  with  reference  to  her 
approaching  confirmation : 

April  12,  1843. 

My  dear  C. 

I  think  I  need  not  assure  you  that,  amid  incessant  public 
duties,  I  have  not  forgotten,  as  your  own  Pastor,  that  most  inter- 
esting occasion,  on  which  you  will  publicly  acknowledge  God  as 
your  God,  Jesus  as  your  Savior,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  as  your  guide, 
Sanctifier,  and  Comforter.  A  consistent  adherence  to  this  profes- 
sion, I  know,  is  holiness,  usefulness,  and  happiness  here,  and  leads 
to  glory  now  inconceivable,  soon  to  be  revealed,  and  without  end, 
hereafter. 

Almighty  God  graciously  pour  upon  you  a  very  large  and  full 
measure  of  His  Spirit,  that  as  He  has  given  you  many  singular 
advantages  for  glorifying  His  name,  and  benefiting  your  fellow- 
creatures,  you  may  both  feel  the  responsibility,  and  enjoy  the  full 
blessing,  of  thus  occupying  the  talents  intrusted  to  you. 

The  difficulty  is  in  patiently  taking  up  daily  and  self-denying 
duties,  without  finding  in  them  that  glow  of  feeling  which  the 
more  direct  means  of  gTace,  and  the  powerful  preaching  of  the 
gospel,  in  happier  moments  excite  in  us.    We  delight  in  pleasur- 


CONFIRMATION. 


195 


able  excitement,  and  are  unwilling  to  pay  the  price  of  sharp 
sacrifices  and  patient  labor,  which  are  absolutely  requisite  to 
make  us  mature,  steady,  and  consistent  Christians,  full  of  blessing 
to  all  around  us,  and  adorning  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Savior  in 
all  things. 

To  help  you  in  this,  my  dear  young  friend,  remember — all  we 
receive  now,  precious  as  it  is,  is  but  the  earnest  of  good  to  come. 
Sweet  communion  with  God  our  Savior  in  prayer,  the  full  assur- 
ance of  His  loving-kindness,  fellowship  of  spirit  with  His  people, 
and  such  like  rich  mercies,  are  merely  refreshments  in  our  pil- 
grimage, and  supports  in  our  warfare.  But  oh,  to  look  forward 
to  the  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  yet  to  come — this 
animated  Patriarchs  and  Prophets,  Apostles  and  Martyrs,  and  our 
most  precious  and  sympathizing  Savior  himself. 

My  greatest  fear  for  you  is,  that  strength  of  your  feelings, 
which  is  one  of  the  best  gifts  the  Lord  has  bestowed  upon  you, 
but  which,  without  much  watchfulness  and  prayer,  may  often 
lead  you  astray,  when  you  think  that  you  are  right,  and  others 
wrong.  You  are  necessarily  yet  inexperienced,  and  incompetent 
to  judge  on  a  great  variety  of  subjects  which  will  come  before 
you ;  and  if  you  give  way  to  the  impulses  of  the  moment,  you 
may  seriously  mistake,  and  bring  trouble  and  sorrow  on  yourself, 
and  those  who  love  you  best.  What  you  need  here,  is  to  be 
sensible  of  our  deep  ignorance  of  Divine  things,  to  pause,  to  reflect, 
and  above  all,  to  pray  much  for  Divine  guidance,  and  search 
much  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

The  Lord  appoints  each  thing  in  your  portion — your  parents, 
your  friends,  your  pastors,  and  all  relations  around  you ;  and  in 
honoring  each  relation,  by  consulting  them,  submitting  to  them, 
and  seeking  to  be  a  comfort  and  a  blessing  to  them,  according  to 
His  directions,  and  under  the  help  of  his  Spirit,  what  a  peaceful, 
heavenly,  and  happy  course  will  be  yours.  I  yearn  over  you  with 
parental  affection  and  hope,  to  see  you  also  a  part  of  my  joy  and 
crown  in  the  day  of  Christ,  now,  I  believe,  near  at  hand. 

Your  very  affectionate  Pastor, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  same  spring  had  witnessed  an  attempt,  chiefly 
among  Dissenters,  to  promote  a  fuller  exhibition  of  Chris- 
tian union,  on  the  part  of  those  who  held  the  great  essen- 


196  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


tials  of  Divine  truth.  The  resolutions  adopted  at  a  pub- 
lic meeting,  with  a  view  to  this  object,  were  forwarded  to 
him  by  Mr.  Sherman,  and  the  following  letter  was  sent  in 
reply. 

Watton  Rectory,  April  17. 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  can  not  but  regard,  with  deep  interest,  the  efforts  which 
our  brethren  among  the  Dissenters  are  making,  to  promote  real 
union  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  amid  their  various  outward  dis- 
tinctions ;  and  heartily  pray  that  it  may  please  the  Lord  of  all, 
abundantly  to  prosper  these  efforts  for  the  accomplishment  of  so 
blessed  an  end. 

I  will  consult  with  my  brethren,  as  I  have  opportunity,  on  the 
subject,  and  shall  be  thankful  if  the  way  should  be  open  to  us,  in 
any  measure  to  concur  publicly  in  your  proceedings.  I  doubt  not 
that  matters  will  rapidly  ripen,  so  as  to  make  all  real  Christians 
gladly  unite  against  the  increasing  violence  of  infidelity,  on  the 
one  hand,  and  superstition  on  the  other. 

It  appears  to  me  that  the  Resolutions  might  be  made  much 
more  acceptable  to  Christians  in  general,  as  well  as  to  members 
of  the  Church  of  England,  by  some  slight  modifications  and  addi- 
tions.   I  mention  them  to  show  my  good-will  to  the  object.  .  . 

I  feel  great  oneness  with  the  spirit  of  them,  and  very  thankful 
that  the  Lord  has  put  it  into  your  hearts,  thus  to  labor  to  be 
peacemakers  in  the  highest  and  best  sense.  Beyond  all  our  fears 
and  hopes,  may  He  prosper  the  measure  ! 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

P.S.  It  appears  to  me,  that  conjoint  humiliation  for  our  differ- 
ences, would  be  a  more  suitable  close  of  the  Fourth  Resolution 
than  the  disclaiming  of  compromise.  It  occurs  to  me  that  there 
is  one  ground  of  agreement,  so  peculiarly  important — so  truly  con- 
ciliatory to  all  classes  who  love  the  Lord,  and  in  which  our  har- 
mony is  so  full,  that  it  might  well  come  in  as  a  closing  Resolu- 
tion. I  mean,  the  practical  part  of  Christianity,  such  as  Chris- 
tian graces,  the  beatitudes,  holy  tempers  and  dispositions,  relative 
duties,  and  the  like.  As  far  as  I  know  the  Christian  men  who 
have  signed,  they  would  all  agree  on  this  ground  of  union ;  and 
I  am  sure  it  would  tend  to  bring  us  all  nearer  together. 


FREE  CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND. 


197 


The  spring  of  the  year  was  especially  memorable  for 
the  disruption  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  formal 
constitution  of  the  Free  Church.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  with- 
out .a  full  approbation  of  that  movement,  regarded  it  in 
a  more  favorable  light  than  many  of  his  own  brethren 
in  the  Church  of  England.  He  was  unable  to  agree  with 
those  arguments,  which  decided  the  whole  question  by 
a  mere  assertion  of  the  duty  of  a  General  Assembly  to 
submit  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  when  once  declared  by 
the  highest  authority.  Such  reasoning,  he  thought,  was 
a  virtual  denial  of  the  visible  Church,  as  a  distinct  ordi- 
nance of  Christ.  The  union  of  Church  and  State,  in  his 
view,  was  that  of  two  co-ordinate  powers,  alike  holding 
from  Christ  as  their  supreme  Head,  and  might  be  dis- 
solved, on  either  side,  if  there  were  a  departure  from  the 
express  or  implied  conditions.  He  believed,  also,  that 
there  were  great  evils  and  anomalies  in  an  unrestricted 
and  absolute  right  of  patronage,  and  inclined  to  the 
opinion,  that  historical  and  constitutional  right  was  on 
the  side  of  the  Free  Church  in  the  first  stages  of  the 
movement.  On  the  other  hand,  he  thought  that  only 
a  plain  departure  from  a  scriptural  law  of  duty,  imposed 
on  the  Church,  would  justify  so  grave  a  step  as  the  dis- 
solution of  such  an  alliance,  and  that  the  evils  of  patron- 
age would  be  equaled,  or  even  surpassed,  by  a  purely 
democratic  or  popular  election  of  ministers.  His  convic- 
tion that  the  path  of  duty  was  at  least  doubtful,  concurred 
with  his  admiration  for  conscientious  sacrifices,  to  produce 
at  the  time  a  very  deep  sympathy  with  the  pious  mem- 
bers of  the  Secession ;  and  though  his  more  deliberate 
judgment,  afterward,  was  one  of  regret  at  the  separation, 
he  never  ceased  to  honor  the  motives,  the  characters,  the 
zeal,  and  the  piety,  of  the  chief  actors  in  that  great  move- 
ment. A  letter  of  June  17,  to  Dr.  Chalmers,  expresses  his 
feelings  at  the  time,  and  differs  very  slightly  from  his  later 
judgment,  while  it  shows  his  watchful  care  for  the  main- 
tenance of  Christian  love. 


198 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


My  dear  Dr.  Chalmers, 

I  think  I  need  not  say  that  the  proceedings  in  Scotland,  in 
which  you  have  heen  so  deeply  concerned,  have  excited  great  in- 
terest among  all  who  have  at  heart  the  spiritual  prosperity  of  the 
Church  of  Christ-in  England.  Many  prayers,  and  much  anxiety 
and  sympathy  have  been  called  forth,  though  I  fear  you  have  had 
but  little  expression  of  this  sympathy.  I  am  anxious  to  write  a 
few  lines,  at  any  rate,  to  speak  my  own  feelings!  .  .  . 

I  bless  God,  my  dear  Dr.  Chalmers,  for  the  spirit  of  wisdom 
and  love  which  have  marked  your  addresses,  and  those  of  Dr. 
Candlish,  Dr.  Gordon,  Dr.  Macfarlane,  and  several  others.  Be 
assured,  all  expressions  of  faith,  hope  and  love,  of  Christian  hu- 
mility, self-distrust  and  forbearance,  of  the  meekness  and  gentle- 
ness of  Christ,  find  a  ready  response  in  the  hearts  of  your  brethren 
in  England,  and  open  our  affectionate  feelings  toward  you,  as 
one  with  us. 

Yet  on  the  other  hand,  some  of  the  addresses  have  been  so 
marked  by  levity  and  bitterness,  by  hardness  and  pugnacious 
severity,  that  I  have  felt  the  great  importance  of  their  being  dis- 
countenanced. .  .  .  The  paper  entitled  "  Lochiel's  Warning," 
is  a  specimen  of  what  I  mean ;  and  which  it  appears  to  me 
greatly  to  concern  the  honor  of  our  Master  and  His  cause,  that 
the  leading  members  of  the  Free  Presbyterian  Church  should  dis- 
courage. 

Sufferings,  real  sufferings  for  the  truth's  sake,  are,  I  believe,  be- 
fore us,  as  the  way  to  full  victory  and  glory.  Earnest  contention 
for  the  truth,  with  the  meekness  of  wisdom,  and  a  good  conversa- 
tion, are  our  clear  duty.  But  it  appears  to  me,  we  look  too  little 
at  the  privilege  of  suffering  for  our  Master ;  and  we  want  the 
kingdom,  while  we  lose  sight  of  the  cross  as  the  way  to  it — as  the 
blessed  Apostles  themselves  did. 

But  the  difficulties  of  your  situation  must  be  very  great,  both 
from  within  and  without.  My  assured  hope  is,  that  the  Lord  is 
with  you,  and  will  strengthen  you  for  and  in  every  trial.  May 
He  do  so  more  and  more.    This  is  the  strength  the  world  is 

wholly  unacquainted  with  Believe  me,  in  the  bonds  of 

the  gospel,  and  in  the  love  of  our  one  and  only  Lord  and  Savior, 
Jesus  Christ, 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


FREE  CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND.. 


199 


P.S.  I  ought  to  mention,  that  from  the  complexity  and  diffi- 
culty of  the  questions  at  issue,  many  of  my  beloved  brethren  in 
the  English  Church,  whose  own  eye  and  heart  are  single,  as  far 
as  man  can  judge,  for  the  Lord,  do  not  concur  in  the  steps  which 
you  have  taken  ;  and  there  will  be  required,  on  the  part  of  the 
Free  Presbyterian  Church,  much  forbearance,  and  abstinence 
from  censure  and  condemnation  of  those  who  differ  from  them. 
Let  us  all  remember,  "Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  inherit 
the  earth." 

In  a  letter,  a  few  days  later,  to  Dr.  Hamilton  of  the 
Scotch  Church,  he  remarked  in  the  same  spirit  of  friendly 
caution, — "  There  are  rocks  on  every  side,  and  I  fear  lest, 
among  any  of  those  connected  with  the  movement,  a  dem- 
ocratic, element  should  overpower  the  evangelical.  We 
need  yet  to  learn  the  invincible  power  of  the  meekness 
and  gentleness  of  Christ." 

The  entries  in  his  journal,  at  this  time,  show  that  the 
consciousness,  daily  forced  upon  him,  of  the  influence  he 
had  acquired,  was  attended  with  a  deep  sense  of  respon- 
sibility, and  led  him  to  pray  earnestly  for  grace  and  wis- 
dom from  on  high. 

"  March  26.  ...  I  am  full  of  work  with  Protests,  now 
signing  by  the  clergy  through  the  country,  against  Trac- 
tarianism.  0  Lord,  help  me  to  defend  Thy  truth  wisely 
and  scripturally !  Give  me  courage,  judgment,  and  love, 
as  well  as  power  to  maintain  Thy  gospel. 

"But  specially  help  me  in  home  duties — closet — family 
— parish — my  immediate  sphere.  O  let  me  not  keep  other 
vineyards  to  the  neglect  of  my  own !  Deal  bountifully 
with  Thy  servant,  that  I  may  live  in  my  own  circle  the 
life  of  faith,  hope,  and  love,  each  day. 

Great  is  the  work  before  me.  Oh  for  unction,  holiness, 
love,  strength,  and  zeal  for  Christ's  sake ! 

"  Ajpril  15.  .  .  .  It  is  a  time  of  great  divisions,  even 
among  the  children  of  God,  as  well  as  in  the  world.  I 
have  been  called  on  to  write  three  letters  to  the  Gospel 
Propagation  Society,  testifying  against  Tractarian  tenden- 


200  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


cies ;  but  hoping  they  may  yet  be  checked,  I  adhere  to 
the  Society.  It  is  a  serious  matter  to  cripple  a  Society 
that  has  done  much  for  God,  and  I  do  not  feel  justified  in 
so  doing. 

"  Oh  how  greatly  I  need  unction  from  above,  and  Di- 
vine power,  to  new-create  my  soul,  and  raise  me  out  of  a 
formal,  heartless  state.  I  contend  against  professed  for- 
malism !  but  ob,  how  much  I  am  weighed  down  by  the 
reality  of  formalism  in  my  own  course,  day  by  day. 

"  Blessed  Jesus,  risen  Savior,  let  grace  abound  over  my 
sin,  and  all  glory  be  rendered  to  Thy  holy  name ! 

"January  28  ...  .  The  post  of  each  day  brings  gene- 
rally important  letters,  that  require  much  wisdom  in 
answering,  not  to  err  on  the  right  hand  or  on  the  left. 
Lord,  give  me  that  wisdom !  My  situation  becomes  in- 
creasingly responsible,  as  my  fellow-Christians  look  up  to 
me  more  for  help  and  guidance.  0  Lord,  in  every  thing 
make  me  a  fuller  blessing  to  thy  Church  ! " 

In  May  Mr.  Bickersteth,  as  usual,  attended  and  spoke 
at  several  of  the  London  meetings,  and  afterward  journey- 
ed to  Derbyshire,  Notts,  and  Liverpool,  for  different  re- 
ligious objects.  During  his  absence,  he  noticed  several 
symptoms  of  a  decline  in  the  interest  taken  in  the  Bible 
Society,  and  the  following  letter  was  consequently  written 
soon  after  his  return. 

Watton  Rectory,  June  1, 

My  dear  Brandram, 

I  write  to  you  to  bring  before  you  my  anxiety  about  our  Bible 
Society.  It  is  not  in  the  state  it  ought  to  be.  The  Parent  Anni- 
versary discouraged  me — that  at  Liverpool,  at  which  I  spoke  for 
you,  did  much  more.  Our  most  devoted  and  spiritual  Evangelical 
brethren  stand  aloof.  It  is  bad  for  them,  the  Church,  the  Dissen- 
ters, the  Society. 

We,  who  love  all,  ought  not  to  let  matters  rest  so.  We  want 
more  religious  stamina  in  the  Society  ;  and  the  Christian  union 
shows  us  we  might  have  it,  and  our  Society  more  than  recover 
all  its  lost  ground,  and  become  truly  the  Philadelphia  of  Chris- 
tendom.   The  Socinians  and  the  Papists  may  well  be  dropped. 


THE  BIBLE  SOCIETY. 


201 


They  can  not  consistently  support  the  circulation  of  our  version. 
They  really  encumber ;  they  aid  us  not. 

I  think,  if  an  address  could  be  prepared  to  all  evangelical  minis- 
ters, with  evangelical  extracts  from  the  Reports  of  the  Society 
from  the  beginning,  it  might  lay  hold  on  the  consciences  of  faith- 
ful brethren,  making  an  earnest  appeal  to  them  now  to  unite 
with  us  on  principles  which  have  been  so  clearly  confessed  by 
the  Society.  To  this  I  would  add — let  all  the  Parent  Society 
Meetings  begin  with  two  or  three  Psalms,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer 
from  the  gospels.  We  must  make  more  of  a  profession  of  the 
truth,  or  we  shall  sink  more  and  more.  And  yet,  on  the  other 
hand,  there  are  most  favorable  symptoms  of  longing  for  real  union 
on  Evangelical  principles. 

Do  not,  my  dear  brother,  throw  this  aside  hastily.  I  have  ad- 
hered to  the  Society  from  the  beginning.  It  may  yet,  I  trust,  be 
God's  instrument  for  uniting  His  people,  and  overthrowing  Infi- 
delity, Popery  and  lawlessness ;  but  I  am  persuaded  it  must  take 
another  stand  of  confession  of  Evangelical  truth.  I  quite  suffered 
anguish  in  seeing  such  a  noble  cause  so  deserted  by  men,  who 
love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  their  heart. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

P.S.    I  send  you  a  Sermon  which  may  interest  you. 

The  Sermon  thus  alluded  to  was  the  one  preached  for 
the  Foreign  Aid  Society,  and  in  which  the  duty  of  Chris- 
tian union  was  urged,  but  with  a  special  reference  to 
foreign  churches  only.  This  explains  the  opening  remarks 
in  the  next  letter. 

June  21. 

My  dear  Brandram, 

I  like  much  your  sensible  letter,  and  agree  with  you,  I  have 
not  in  my  Sermon  "  taken  the  bull  by  the  horns  ;"  but  the  reason 
there  was,  that  I  had  to  take  care  of  the  Foreign  Aid  Society, 
which  confines  its  labors  to  foreign  churches. 

I  have  no  doubt,  Dissenting  ministers,  holding  the  Head,  and 
appointed  by  their  congregations,  are  true  ministers  of  Christ, 
their  sacraments  true  sacraments,  and  their  congregations  true 
churches  of  Christ ;  and  I  hope,  in  publishing  the  Sermon  I  sent 

i* 


202 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


you  in  another  form,  to  avow  this.  But  then  they  must  not  con- 
found the  Church  of  England  and  Puseyism,  and  make  us  all 
Papists.  Our  external  co-operation  has  hitherto  exceeded  our  in- 
ternal sympathy,  and  hence  much  of  it  has  been  hollow  ;  and 
providential  events  are  showing  our  discordance  and  separation. 
Let  doctrinal  union  take  the  lead,  and  the  practical  union  will 
follow.  Hence  I  want  some  more  distinct  exhibition  of  the  doc- 
trinal principles  of  the  Bible  Society,  such  as  the  extracts  from  the 
reports  would  give.  You  know  that  all  the  strength  of  the  Society 
is  in  the  true  ser+bnts  of  Christ.  Then  let  them  confess  their 
Master,  where  they  see  alike,  and  all  who  love  their  Master  will 
join  an  open  confession  of  His  truth. 

It  is  our  joy,  my  dear  brother,  that  the  work  of  the  Society  is 
increasing,  and  that  means  are  afforded,  and  blessed  effects  follow ; 
but  this  should  increase  our  faith,  and  efforts  for  larger  means  and 
fuller  effects. 

Your  month  is  so  obscure,  that  I  do  not  know  whether  you 
wish  to  convene  the  clergy  in  June,  July,  or  January ;  but  I 
would  come,  at  any  time  in  my  power,  for  objects  so  blessed  as 
promoting  the  Bible  Society  and  Christian  union. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  notes  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  amid  these  various  en- 
gagements, to  his  beloved  friend,  General  Marshall,  ex- 
hibit his  earnest  zeal  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  his  deep  ' 
sense  of  the  eventful  character  of  the  times. 

February  16. 

My  dear  General, 

We  never  had,  I  think,  in  Wellington's  warfare,  sharper  fight- 
ing than  Christians  now  have  with  error  on  all  sides ;  no  neutrality 
will  soon  be  allowed  to  any  one.  My  correspondence  is  quite  re- 
markable in  this  view.  .  .  .  The  state  of  the  masses  of  the 
people  is  increasingly  fearful ;  truly,  the  unclean  spirits  are  all  at 
work  obviously  enough  to  the  spiritual  mind.  But  He  must  in- 
crease, must  conquer,  whom  we  love  best  of  all. 

I  had  a  letter  from  Oxford  this  morning  ;  Popery  is  ripening 
fast.  Newman  has  retracted  every  thing  sharp  that  he  has  said 
against  Rome.    The  Scotch  Episcopalians  wanted  to  enlist  the 


LETTERS. 


203 


Church  Missionary  Society  against  Drummond,  but  the  Committee 
is  firm,  and  they  have  failed.  ...  Oh  let  us  walk  closely  with 
our  Savior ;  He  will  come  and  save  us  from  the  tribulation,  now, 
I  believe,  near  at  hand. 

Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

March  3. 

My  dearest  General  Marshall, 

It  is  a  real  pleasure  to  hear  from  you  ;  what  interesting  facts 
your  letter  contains  !  .  .  . 

It  is  our  unspeakable  comfort  that  the  Lord  Jesus  presides  over 
all,  and  carries  on  His  vast  schemes  of  love  and  goodness,  against, 
and  even  by,  the  very  machinations  of  those  who  oppose  Him. 
Let  us  rest  in  Him,  and  rejoice  in  Him,  and  get  more  and  more 
of  His  own  wise,  holy,  and  loving  spirit.  When  I  contend  with 
men,  ardor  of  spirit  soon  inflames  me.  but  it  is  a  mingled  fire. 
When  I  look  to  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  tenderness  and 
compassion,  self-abasement  and  meekness,  mingle  with  the  spirit 
of  zeal  and  devotedness.  .  .  . 

I  have  been  so  struck  with  the  good  likely  to  be  done  by 
Sewell's  Irish  College,  that  I  have  joined  Lord  Ashley  (that  noble 
fellow)  and  M'Neile,  in  subscribing  to  it.  If  the  Tractariaris 
fairly  meet  the  Romanist  in  Ireland  (and  this  is  the  great  object 
of  the  College),  they  are  likely  both  to  get  and  to  do  good  ;  and 
we  show  our  Master's  spirit,  when  we  meet  them  where  we  can. 

Should  you  see  ,  perhaps  you  will  tell  him  what  I  have 

done.  Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

March  23. 

My  dear  General, 

...  The  "Protest"  is  battling  through  the  country7.  Many 
have  tried  to  stop  it,  but  on  it  goes. 

As  to  the  College,  I  followed  M'Neile  and  Lord  Ashley,  and  if 
any  thing  can  do  them  good,  it  is  fighting  with  Irish  priests,  their 
very  object.  I  thought  it  worth  a  venture,  and  if  I  find  myself 
in  a  snare,  the  Lord  helping,  I  will  get  out,  to  their  cost  who 
would  ensnare  us.  I  never  knew  any  thing  like  the  movement 
of  this  day.  Shall  we  meet  in  town  on  the  7th,  when  I  preach 
a.  lecture  on  prophecy  ?  Ever  affectionately. 


204  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


July  21. 

Dear  General, 

We  are  as  full  of  work  as  the  day  is  of  hours,  and  enter  into 
that  expression  "  hardly  time  to  eat  Dread" — but  thanks  be  to 
God  for  work  to  do,  and  health  and  strength  to  do  it  ! 

On  Tuesday,  we  have  a  large  meeting  on  our  lawn,  if  fine,  to 
form  a  County  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society.  I  inclose  you  the 
circular,  that  you  may  help  us  by  prayer.  Blessed  be  God  for  all 
His  goodness. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

A  few  extracts  from  his  private  journal  will  show  some 
of  these  engagements  in  the  later  months  of  the  year. 

'  June  3.  .  .  I  have  been  to  Sapcote,  Liverpool,  Ches- 
terfield, Retford,  Newark,  Eastwood,  and  Nottingham. 
The  Lord  prosper  what  has  been  said  and  done  in  these 
places,  and  forgive  all  the  iniquities  of  my  best  services. 

"  The  companion  of  my  son  Edward,  George  Hill,  left 
me  on  the  1st,  after  being  with  me  nine  years  and  mora 
The  Lord  strengthen  him  against  the  temptations  of  col- 
lege.   0  Lord,  keep  them  from  all  evil ! 

"  I  am  going,  please  God,  to  Cambridge  on  Monday,  to 
preach  and  speak  for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society. 
Gracious  Father,  prosper  Thou  the  effort.  Is  there  not  a 
cause  ?  .  .  . 

"  July  1.  God  has  been  very  gracious  in  using  me, 
at  Cambridge,  for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid,  in  London 
for.  the  Accident  Eelief  Society,  and  at  Hertford  for 
the  Protestant  Association — all  glory  be  to  His  holy 
name. 

"  That  one  so  sinful  should  be  used  by  One  so  holy  is 
wonderful  grace.  Why  am  I  not  cast  out  of  His  service, 
as  a  worse  than  unprofitable  servant  ?  This  is  owing  to 
sovereign  grace. 

11  July  29.  The  last  month  has  been  one  of  many 
mercies.  The  church  Missionary,  Bible,  and  Religious 
Tract  Societies  in  this  County  have  had  good  anniversa- 
ries; and  the  Lord's  Day  Observance  and  Church  Pas- 


JOURNAL. 


205 


toral  Aid,  have  had  auxiliaries  formed  on  the  17th  and 
25th.  The  school-children  have  had  their  annual  feast ; 
and  God  seems  to  have  prospered  all.  £160  was  raised 
within  this  week  for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society. 
All  glory  be  to  our  most  merciful  Father!  May  we  walk 
very  humbly. 

"  I  have  had  dear  Christian  friends,  the  Auriols,  stay- 
ing here  last  month,  and  we  have  found  it  good  to  have 
our  Master's  children  with  us. 

"  O  Lord,  prepare  me  for  Thy  table.  .  .  .  God  make 
me  a  real,  a  full,  a  lasting  blessing  to  my  people,  to  His 
Church,  to  my  country,  my  fellow-men  everywhere,  for 
Christ's  sake. 

"  August  16.  ...  I  have  sent  a  new  work  to  the  press, 
to  be  entitled,  '  The  Promised  Glory  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.'  0  that  the  Lord  may  so  assist  me  in  it,  that  it 
may  be  useful  to  His  people  ! 

"  There  is  before  me  a  visit  to  Dyrham  Park,  for  the 
Jews,  and  to  Beading  for  the  Church  Missionary,  as  well 
as  other  journeys. 

"  The  state  of  the  world  is  remarkable,  in  the  shaking 
of  all  things.  Oh,  that  our  hearts  may  be  fixed  on  unseen 
and  eternal  things,  and  we  may  walk  closely  with  God,  in 
self-sacrifice,  and  self-denial ! 

"  September  23.  .  .  .  The  harvest  I  find  always  a  time 
injurious  to  my  people.  Sad  it  is  that  the  season  of  God's 
mercies  should  be  made  the  occasion  of  men's  sins ! — but 
it  is  a  little  flock  that  is  gathered  from  an  evil  world. 
May  God  mercifully  show  to  me,  and  help  me  to  correct 
without  delay,  any  thing  in  me  that  is  wanting  to  meet 
the  wants  of  my  flock. 

"  There  is  a  ealm  over  the  whole  face  of  Christendom, 
but  manifestations  break  out  of  the  evil  working  within. 
In  Russia,  is  an  Ukase  against  the  Jews.  In  Ancona,  a 
persecuting  edict  of  the  Inquisition.  In  Spain,  a  fresh 
revolution ;  in  Italy,  risings  of  the  people.  In  Turkey, 
the  Nestorians  are  persecuted,  and  a  convert  from  Mo- 
hammedanism has  been  executed,  for  professing  Christian- 


206 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ity.  In  our  own  country,  in  Scotland,  five  hundred 
ministers  have  left  the  Established  Church ;  in  Ireland, 
the  Eepeal  agitation  has  spread  through  the  land ;  in 
Wales,  a  spirit  of  rebellion  prevails ;  and  in  England, 
Tractarianism,  Socialism,  and  Chartism  are  spreading. 

"  October  28.  .  .  I  have  been  blessed  in  several  public 
duties.  On  Monday,  the  16th,  I  addressed  the  Missiona- 
ries going  to  Africa,  including  Samuel  Crowther,  a  negro, 
episcopally  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  London.  It  was  an 
era  in  the  Society. 

"  I  have  before  me  journeys  to  Bristol,  Bath,  and 
London,  with  public  sermons  for  the  Jews,  Church,  Pas- 
toral Aid,  and  Indigent  Blind.  The  Lord  strengthen  me 
for  every  duty,  and  bless  me  in  all  His  work  !  "\Ve  have 
had  the  Hertford  meeting  for  the  Jews. 

"  My  dearest  son  Edward  went  to  College  on  the  16th, 
to  prepare  for  orders.  O  God,  my  God,  preserve  him 
from  the  many  dangers  and  temptations  of  that  trying 
scene,  and  prepare  him  to  be  a  faithful  minister  of  the 
Lord  Jesus !    O  Lord,  quicken  my  soul ! " 

The  removal  of  a  son  is  an  important  era  in  the  do- 
mestic history  of  many  a  Christian  family.  The  follow- 
ing letter  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  occasioned  by  this  change, 
will  therefore  be  read  with  interest  by  many  parents. 

Watton  Rectory,  October  10. 

My  dearest  George  and  Edward, 

I  promised  to  write  to  you  before  your  going  to  College,  and 
though  much  pressed  with  work  on  every  side,  my  dear  boys, 
who  have  been  so  long  under  my  roof,  and  with  whom  I  have 
so  often  knelt  in  prayer  together  at  the  throne  of  grace,  have 
prior  claims.    You  know  I  write  in  the  fullness  of  love. 

I  trust  that  you  have  both  now  acquired  habits  of  study,  and 
a  real  love  for  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge  ;  and  these 
will  be  very  important,  and  should  be  carefully  cultivated,  both 
as  leading  to  great  means  of  usefulness  hereafter,  and  as  being 
a  present  preservative  from  the  many  peculiar  snares  and  temp- 


ENTRANCE  ON  AN  UNIVERSITY  CAREER.  207 


tations  of  being  thrown  so  much  on  your  own  free  choice  as  to 
the  employment  of  your  time. 

You  are  at  present  but  little  acquainted, — you  can  be  but  little 
acquainted,  with  your  chief  danger,  your  own  hearts.  I  have 
had  about  forty  years'  more  experience  than  you  can  possibly  have 
on  this  point,  and  be  assured,  my  dearest  children,  here  is  your 
chief  temptation.  You  know  not,  you  can  not  know,  what  power 
the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life, 
have  to  lead  you  astray  from  the  paths  of  safety  and  of  holy  hap- 
piness. The  tremendous  snares  of  self-confidence,  self-sufficiency, 
vanity,  and  self-will,  beset  us  on  every  side.  The  great  preserva- 
tive is  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts 
by  the  Holy  Spirit.  AVhat  fallen  creatures  must  we  be,  when 
nothing  but  our  Creator's  appearing  in  our  flesh  and  blood,  and 
dying  lor  us,  could  reconcile  us  to  God  !  Let  us  then  cease  to 
place  any  confidence  in  ourselves,  and  place  all  our  trust  only  in 
the  Lord ! 

Your  first,  therefore,  your  great,  your  chief  attention,  must  be 
fixed  on  your  own  hearts.  "Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence, 
for  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life."  Let  the  care  of  the  soul  be 
with  you  "  the  one  thing  needful."  0  neglect  not,  on  any  con- 
sideration, private  prayer,  at  least  morning  and  evening,  and  read- 
ing daily  in  secret,  in  regular  order,  and  with  earnest  prayer,  the 
Holy  Scriptures. 

Next  to  this,  my  beloved  children,  I  would  earnestly  press  upon 
you  an  entire  separation  of  the  Sabbath  to  its  sacred  duties.  Let 
it  not  be  a  day  of  visiting,  or  of  receiving  visits.  Let  it  not  be  a 
day  of  studies,  excepting  those  which  are  strictly  religious  and 
devout.  Abundance  of  books  you  both  have,  besides  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  that  may  employ  all  the  leisure  hours  of  the  Sabbath. 
Attend  that  public  ministry  (after  your  college  and  university 
requirements)  that  you  judge  most  spiritual,  and  suited  to  profit 
you,  and  do  not  change  about,  but  remain  under  the  same  min- 
istry. If  you  can,  secure  perfect  retirement  and  quiet,  for  medi- 
tation, self-examination,  and  devotion,  during  one  part  of  the  Sab- 
bath-day. 

Remember  your  health  of  body,  as  well  as  your  spiritual  health. 
Every  day  give  a  good  portion  of  time  to  exercise  in  the  open  air. 
You  will  gain  by  it  in  the  end,  and  your  strength  will  be  un- 
broken for  future  usefulness.    Do  not  indulge  in  late  hours,  but 


208  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


have  a  well-regulated  plan  of  rising,  study,  and  going  early  to  rest, 
and  keep  to  it. 

Many  temptations  will  be  avoided  by  attention  to  these  things 
begun  at  once ;  and  especially  by  letting  it  be  known,  from  the 
first,  that  you  mean  to  be  a  student  and  a  Christian,  and  will  not 
be  drawn  aside  from  a  course  consistent  with  such  a  profession. 
Oh  be  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ !  disregard  the  laughter 
and  ridicule  of  the  world. 

The  choice  of  friends,  in  so  great  an  assembly  of  the  young, 
will  have  a  material  influence  on  your  conduct  at  College.  The 
great  Scripture  principle  is,  "I  am  a  companion  of  them  that  fear 
Thee."  The  first  verse  of  the  first  Psalm  makes  plain  to  us  what 
we  should  avoid.  It  will  be  a  natural  temptation  to  desire  to  as- 
sociate with  those  of  higher  rank  in  life  than  yourselves,  and  to 
number  among  your  friends  and  associates  those  who  are  superior 
in  title  or  in  wealth.  I  can  not  but  consider  this  to  be  attended 
with  many  evils.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  those  in  inferior  cir- 
cumstances may  seek  to  gain  advantages,  by  making  themselves 
agreeable,  and  so  to  draw  you  from  your  duties.  But  a  steady 
course  of  conduct,  constant  regularity  in  studies,  and  consistency 
in  your  principles,  will  secure  to  you  the  friends  best  worth  having, 
and  whose  friendship  will  be  a  joy  to  you  all  through  life.  Never 
mingle  in  the  society  of  others,  without  striving  to  speak  a  word 
for  God  and  His  truth,  and  to  do  some  spiritual  good  to  those 
with  whom  you  associate. 

Expensive  habits  ought  on  every  account  to  be  avoided.  They 
are  more  injurious  to  yourselves  than  even  to  your  parents.  The 
dread  of  being  counted  mean  and  shabby,  may  become  a  perfect 
folly.  Nothing  really  mean  and  shabby  will  ever  be  done  by  a 
Christian,  who  will  aim  at  a  liberal  economy.  The  greatest 
meanness  in  the  world,  is  to  be  ashamed  of  Him  who  died  for  us, 
to  spend  largely  on  vanities,  and  begrudge  any  thing  given  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  I  should  wish  you  to  support  the  Cambridge 
Association  of  the  Church  Missionary,  the  Jews,  the  Pastoral  Aid 
and  the  Bible  Societies.  It  will  be  one  means  of  showing  your 
colors,  and  of  bringing  you  acquainted  with  those  who  confess 
our  Savior  before  men.  Have  no  debts  that  you  can  possibly 
avoid.  Your  parents,  be  assured,  according  to  their  means,  will 
provide  for  all  your  real  wants  and  comforts,  and  pay  at  once  the 
accounts  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 


ENTRANCE  ON  AN  UNIVERSITY  CAREER.  209 


I  trust  you  will  seek  to  excel,  by  diligence  and  patient  appli- 
cation, in  the  appropriate  studies  of  the  University.  Your  pa- 
rents and  friends  will  rejoice  in  any  success  you  may  attain  in 
those  studies.  But  let  the  chief  motive  to  diligence  be — it  is  a 
duty  to  your  Heavenly  Father.  He  is  present  with  you  at  all 
times.  His  favor  follows  all  who  seek  to  please  Him  in  a  faithful 
discharge  of  appointed  work,  and  His  favor  is  better  than  life  itself. 

These  are  the  hints  it  has  seemed  to  me  most  important  to 
give  you.  My  situation  in  life  has  been  so  public,  and  my  writ- 
ings have  made  me  so  generally  known,  that  I  can  not  but  feel, 
my  dear  children,  that  I  am  personally,  deeply  implicated  in 
your  conduct ;  and  that  the  honor  of  our  holy  religion,  and  of 
the  great  Evangelical  principles  which  I  have  been  maintaining 
in  my  writings  and  ministry  for  thirty  years,  are  affected  in  the 
eyes  of  many  by  the  course  you  may  pursue,  and  I  can  enter  into 
the  Apostle's  words — "  Now  we  live,  if  ye  stand  fast  in  the  Lord." 

You  are  also  responsible  before  God,  in  having  heard  so  much 
truth  as  you  have  heard  for  so  many  years,  and  having  been  the 
subject  of  so  many  prayers  and  hopes.  Oh  may  you,  in  the  great 
trial  of  your  character,  be  steadfast  and  unmovable  ! 

You  have,  besides,  both  chosen  deliberately  the  office  of  the 
ministry.  A  worldly  minister  of  Christ  is  a  contradiction  full 
of  evils.  He  is  a  curse  to  the  Church,  and  a  curse  to  the 
country,  whatever  his  talents,  or  his  learning,  or  his  rank. 
Nothing  but  true  conversion  of  heart  to  God,  and  the  constant 
indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  can  make  you  faithful  stewards 
of  the  mysteries  of  Christ,  and  a  blessing  to  your  fellow-men. 
Be  not  then,  my  dearest  children,  inconsistent  with  your  high 
calling.  Prepare  diligently  for  the  ministry,  and  be  prepared  of 
God  for  it,  and  you  enter  on  the  highest,  the  most  glorious,  the 
most  eternally  enriching,  of  all  the  offices  to  which  the  God  of 
heaven  and  earth  calls  His  people.  Never  have  I  repented  giv- 
ing myself  to  the  ministry.  As  we  are  faithful  in  it,  we  are 
happy  now,  and  bring  multitudes  to  share  our  happiness  on 
earth,  and  our  glory  forever.  Oh  that  I  may  have  the  joy  of 
seeing  you  glorifying  Christ,  our  own  Savior,  and  preaching  His 
gospel  fully  and  faithfully,  to  the  salvation  of  the  precious  and 
immortal  souls  for  whom  He  died  ! 

Your  most  affectionate  friend, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


210 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


This  letter  was  addressed  jointly  to  his  son,  and  the 
companion  of  his  studies,  who  had  been  an  inmate  of 
the  Rectory  for  more  than  nine  years.  The  copy  to  the 
former  closed  with  an  affectionate  prayer  for  his  welfare. 
One  or  two  extracts  from  notes  written  to  him  in  the  fol- 
lowing term,  show  the  wise  and  loving  interest  his  father 
took  in  his  prosperity,  when  thus  transferred  from  the  re- 
tirement of  a  home  education,  to  the  duties  and  tempta- 
tions of  a  college  life. 

October  23,  1843. 

My  dearest  Son, 

I  was  truly  glad  to  receive  your  welcome  letter,  and  rejoice  to 
see  that  you  are  comfortably  settled  in  college,  and  beginning 
your  work,  in  a  spirit  of  dependence  on  Him  who  is  our  only 
strength  in  every  duty.  It  is  my  earnest  hope  and  prayer  that 
your  trials  and  difficulties  will  be  the  divinely  appointed  means 
for  strengthening  your  faith,  and  confirming  your  whole  charac- 
ter in  that  good  part  which  our  God  has  led  you  to  choose.  The 
whole  experience  of  my  life  has  assured  me  that  it  is  the  only  path 
of  real  happiness  here,  as  well  as  the  way  to  true  blessedness  and 
everlasting  glory  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  and,  loving  my  dear 
son,  as  I  do,  with  the  fullness  of  fatherly  affection,  both  judgment 
and  love  constrain  me  to  make  this  my  chief  desire  for  you. 

It  must  be  a  perfectly  new  scene  to  you,  and  there  will  neces- 
sarily be  fresh  temptations  and  occasional  mistakes ;  but  if  the 
directions  of  my  long  letter  are  followed,  all  will  work,  with  God's 
blessing,  to  bring  you  out  of  college,  a  strengthened  and  estab- 
lished Christian,  with  enlarged  power  to  be  an  honor  to  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ,  and  a  full  blessing  to  your  fellow-creatures. 

Though  unable  to  furnish  you  with  those  pecuniary  means 
which  the  parents  of  some  others  could,  I  doubt  not  that  God 
will  always  enable  me  to  meet  your  real  wants  and  comforts ; 
and  there  is  no  money  I  shall  more  rejoice  to  spend  than  that 
which  is  requisite  for  your  future  usefulness.  .  .  . 

I  need  not  tell  you  how  we  all  think  of  you,  love  you,  and  pray 
for  you.  Give  me  your  full  confidence  in  every  thing,  and  be 
assured  it  will  be  repaid  with  constant  love,  and  the  best  advice 
our  God  enables  me  to  give  you. 

Ever  affectionately  your  own  father, 

E.  BlCKEKSTETH. 


ENTRANCE  ON  AN  UNIVERSITY  CAREER.  211 


November  3. 

My  dear  Son, 

...  It  is  always  pleasant  both  to  write  to,  and  to  hear  from, 
those  we  love  ;  and  I  trust  this  golden  link  of  love,  my  dearest 
Edward,  will  ever  with  us  be  stronger  and  stronger,  even  through 
eternity.    What  a  glorious  hope  is  this  ! 

I  am  sure  that  in  giving  your  Sunday  to  God,  you  will  have 
His  blessing  on  all  the  rest  of  the  week.  ...  As  far  as  regularity 
and  order  allow,  hear  only  faithful  sermons.  To  have  to  hear 
error  is  injurious  to  the  spirit,  if  not  to  the  principles.  .  .  . 

Remember,  my  dear  Edward,  what  is  most  desirable  at  college 
— not  Bell's,  or  any  other  scholarship — but  a  heart  right  in  the 
sight  of  God,  His  favor,  and  fellowship  with  Him  ;  so  do  not  study 
to  the  neglect  of  health  of  body,  or  health  of  soul. 

I  have  sent  you  the  paper,  on  account  of  an  able  review  of 

 's  sermons,  showing  the  folly  of  such  bombastic  making  out 

of  ideas.  It  may  suggest  useful  hints  to  you.  .  .  .  With  hearty 
love  from  all, 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

November  18. 

My  dearest  Son, 

.  .  .  Your  whole  future  blessedness  in  life  is  deeply  connected 
with  present  sacrifices  ;  only  keep  in  health  by  full  out-door  exer- 
cise, two  hours  each  day.  ..."  We  have  confidence  in  the 
Lord,  touching  you,"  (such  is  the  beautiful  Scripture  expression,) 
that  we  shall  have  joy  in  you  to  the  end. 

Passages  of  Scripture  that  were  useful  to  me  at  your  age,  were 
— "  Mind  not  high  things,  but  condescend  to  men  of  low  estate." 
"  Seekest  thou  great  things  for  thyself?  seek  them  not."  You 
need  not  form  plans  for  the  future.  In  present  application  to  im- 
mediate duties,  the  full  happiness  of  the  future  is  effectually  sown. 
We  are  the  worst  devisers  for  ourselves — but  we  have  a  Friend 
who  is  infallibly  wise,  and  unfailingly  loving ;  and  He  orders  all, 
He  is  always  with  you,  to  guide,  to  govern,  and  to  bless.  .  .  . 
The  spirit,  dearest  son,  we  all  most  want,  is  entire  devotedness  to 
Christ.    God  ever  bless  you  and  keep  you,  prays 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


212 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


The  correspondence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  toward  the 
close  of  the  year,  was  of  a  most  various  and  interesting 
character.  His  friend,  Mr.  Sibthorpe,  had  just  returned 
from  his  unhappy  secession,  repelled  by  the  Mariolatry 
of  the  Church  of  Rome,  but  still  in  an  unsettled  state  of 
mind ;  and  several  letters  passed  between  them,  with  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  usual  warmth  and  simplicity  of  feeling. 
Troubles  had  arisen  at  Ware,  from  the  violent  antipathy 
of  the  parishioners  to  some  rubrical  innovations,  that  had 
partly  been  occasioned  by  the  Bishop's  recent  charge ;  and 
he  took  occasion  to  address  his  Lordship,  in  two  respectful 
and  friendly  letters,  advising  strongly  some  course  of  wise 
conciliation.  A  friend  had  asked  his  views  on  the  actual 
state  of  the  Propagation  Society,  and  his  reply,  a  copy  of 
which  was  inclosed  with  a  friendly  note  to  the  Secretary, 
produced  a  renewed  correspondence,  and  elicited  some 
facts  of  importance,  which  tended  to  mitigate  his  previous 
fears  as  to  the  working  of  the  Society.  A  protest  against 
Tractarianism  was  forwarded  to  him  by  Mr.  Noel,  which 
appeared  to  him  to  err  in  an  opposite  extreme ;  and  he 
wrote  at  length,  to  state  and  confirm  his  objections,  and 
his  great  fear  lest  the  recoil  from  one  evil  should  betray 
Christians  into  another.  Mr.  Maurice,  at  the  same  time, 
had  published  a  letter  to  Lord  Ashley,  in  deprecation  of 
all  religious  parties,  and  of  all  attempts  to  resist  Trac- 
tarianism by  acts  of  authority,  and  Mr.  Bickersteth  wrote 
a  friendly,  but  terse  and  sensible  reply.  His  early  friend, 
Dr.  Pye  Smith,  lamented,  in  a  letter  full  of  sincere  affec- 
tion, the  growing  bigotry,  in  his  opinion,  among  the 
clerg)7,  arising  from  the  Tractarian  movement.  The  close 
of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  answer  is  very  descriptive  of  his 
habitual  feelings. 

I  am  sure  evangelical  brethren  are  really  desiring  union  with 
those  of  other  denominations,  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity.  I  am  going,  in  the  beginning  of  next  week,  to  be 
present  at  a  large  meeting,  on  the  importance  of  union  among 
faithful  brethren  in  contending  for  the  truth  of  the  Gospel,  with 


CLOSE  OF  1843. 


213 


the  means  of  maintaining  it.  I  think  I  sent  you  the  sermon  on 
the  same  subject,  which  I  preached  for  the  Foreign  Aid  Society, 
and  have  since  included  the  substance  of  it  in  a  larger  work  I  am 
compiling,  on  the  "Promised  Glory  of  the  Church  of  Christ." 

"  But,  my  dear  friend,  we  have  all  of  us  prejudices,  and  that 
on  all  sides  ;  and  need  meekness  of  wisdom,  as  well  as  earnest 
contention  for  the  truth,  and  large  charity.  Our  common  ene- 
mies, infidels,  lawless  men,  and  Papists,  are  ready  to  swallow  us 
up  alive,  and  those  who  love  the  Lord  are  fighting  with  each 
other.  Let  us  mourn  over  these  things,  and  follow  the  things 
which  make  for  peace,  and  the  things  by  which  we  may  edify 
one  another,  and  pray  much  for  each  other.  God  Almighty 
bless  you  with  all  spiritual  blessings,  prays 

Yours  faithfully, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Amid  the  variety  of  his  public  work,  the  year  closed 
with  these  reflections  in  his  own  journal. 

"November  26.  I  have  been  blessed  in  my  journeys 
to  Bath,  Bristol,  and  London,  and  carried  through  all  the 
duties  to  which  I  have  been  called.  May  the  Lord  bless 
me,  and  use  me  to  His  glory.  I  commit  many  mistakes  ; 
I  fall  short  in  every  thing ;  my  heart  is  often  cold  and 
dull  toward  God.  0  what  a  mercy  that  I  am  at  all 
upheld  in  His  ways,  and  enabled  to  do  any  good  to  my 
fellow-men.  .  .  . 

"  0  Lord,  how  many  precious  interests  I  have  to  com- 
mend unto  Thee;  my  own  soul's  welfare,  my  wife,  my 
children,  my  parish,  my  Church,  the  whole  Church,  my 
country,  Jews  and  Gentiles!  What  a  circle  I  have  to 
bring  before  Thee,  in  god-children,  relations,  Christian 
friends,  religious  Societies,  and  the  whole  cause  of  Christ ! 
God  make  me  faithful  to  all  my  trusts,  and  a  large  bless- 
ing to  my  fellow-men,  for  His  dear  Son's  sake ! 

"December  24.  Good  and  gracious  is  the  Lord!  He 
has  brought  my  scattered  family  together,  from  Cam- 
bridge, and  from  Liverpool,  in  peace  and  with  many 
blessings  in  their  absence.  He  has  helped  me  in  preach- 
ing at  my  old  friend  Mr.  Pratt's  Church,  and  enabled  me 


211  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


to  carry  through  the  press  my  address  to  the  missionaries, 
the  '  Promised  Glory,'  and  a  new  edition  of  the  '  Chris- 
tian Student.'  What  thanks  do  I  owe  Him,  if  my  labors 
are  still  acceptable  to  His  children,  and  useful  to  my  fel- 
low-men !  .  .  . 

"  Many  important  duties  in  public  are  before  me,  and 
where  is  my  strength  for  them  ?  Only  in  Thee,  0  Lord 
Jesus !  Look  upon  me  in  mercy — assist  me  in  every  work 
and  duty — so  that  I  may  live  by  faith,  walk  in  Thee,  bear 
Thy  light  and  Thy  love  to  others ;  and  at  length  be  ac- 
cepted of  Thee  in  the  day  of  Thy  appearing." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


QUESTIONS  CONCERNING  THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN 
SCOTLAND. 

A.  D.  1844. 

The  opening  of  1844  found  Mr.  Bickersteth  engaged  in 
anxious  and  perplexing  duties,  arising  out  of  the  state  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  Scotland.  That  body,  historically 
derived  from  Archbishop  Laud  and  the  Nonjurors,  had 
ever  since  retained,  both  in  doctrine  and  discipline,  the 
distinctive  characters  of  that  school  of  theology.  Its 
clergy  did  not  subscribe  the  Articles  of  the  English 
Church ;  and  while  they  adopted  the  English  Liturgy, 
another  Communion  Service  was  introduced,  on  the  model 
of  that  which  Laud  had  endeavored  to  impose  throughout 
Scotland,  but  differing  from  it  by  a  still  plainer  assertion 
of  the  corporeal  presence  of  Christ  in  the  Eucharist.  In 
the  possession  of  this  service  the  Scotch  bishops  and  clergy 
were  accustomed  to  glory,  as  their  special  badge  of  eccle- 
siastical honor.  From  these  causes,  and  their  more  than 
doubtful  allegiance  to  the  reigning  family,  they  were  sub- 
ject for  many  years  to  penal  enactments,  and  great  legis- 
lative discouragement.  The  aversion  of  English  Church- 
men, who  settled  in  Scotland,  to  those  features  of  the 
Scotch  Episcopacy,  led  to  the  rise  of  congregations,  in 
most  of  the  larger  towns,  to  whom  clergymen,  ordained  in 
England,  ministered  by  virtue  of  their  English  orders 
alone,  and  with  a  legal  sanction  which  was  then  denied  to 
the  Scotch  Episcopal  clergy. 

In  course  of  time  these  circumstances  were  altered. 


216  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


After  the  Stuart  line  had  become  extinct,  the  Scotch 
bishops  sought  to  obtain  from  the  British  Parliament  a 
removal  of  the  heaviest  restrictions  under  which  they  had 
before  labored,  and  had  a  legal  status  given  them,  with 
regard  to  their  own  clergy ;  while  they  solemnly  renounced 
any  purpose  of  claiming  authority  over  those  English  con- 
gregations, which  the  law  had  already  recognized.  As  a 
further  means  of  obtaining  the  desired  concession,  a  sub- 
scription to  the  English  Articles  was  now,  for  the  first 
time,  required  of  their  clergy,  while  the  other  distinctive 
features  of  their  communion  remained  as  before.  Still 
more  recently,  by  an  act  in  the  present  reign,  a  clerical 
communion,  under  very  narrow  limitations,  was  permitted 
between  the  two  churches.  The  distinctions  between 
them,  in  doctrine  and  discipline,  were  thus  thrown  by 
degrees  into  the  shade ;  while  the  revival  in  England  of 
high-church  principles,  rendered  the  anomaly  of  episcopal 
congregations,  without  the  direct  oversight  of  any  bishop, 
more  evident  than  ever.  There  arose,  therefore,  a  strong 
desire  in  several  of  these  congregations  to  be  united  to  the 
Scotch  Episcopal  Church,  from  which  they  had  hitherto 
been  entirely  separate.  .  Its  bishops  gladly  hailed  this  ex- 
tension of  their  authority.  Conditions  of  agreement  were 
signed,  stipulating  for  the  continued  use  of  the  English 
service  in  their  integrity,  and  most  of  the  separate  congre- 
gations were  incorporated  on  these  terms  into  the  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Scotland. 

This  union,  however,  was  still  only  in  progress,  when 
the  Laudian  spirit  of  the  Scotch  Episcopate,  encouraged 
by  the  growth  of  Tractarian  principles  in  England,  re- 
vived in  full  vigor,  and  speedily  dissolved  it  again.  One 
of  its  earliest  signs  was  an  act  of  the  Episcopal  synod, 
declaring  the  Scotch  communion-office  of  primary  author- 
ity in  their  church,  and  enjoining  its  exclusive  employ- 
ment on  several  public  occasions,  in  which  all  the  clergy, 
by  its  own  constitution,  would  be  compelled  to  take  a 
share.  A  more  practical  exhibition  of  its  tendency  soon 
followed.    The  chapel  of  St.  Paul's,  Aberdeen,  had  joined 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  217 


the  Episcopal  Church  in  1841,  under  a  deed  of  union, 
signed  and  ratified  by  Bishop  Skinner ;  and  which  stipu- 
lated for  the  continued  use,  in  all  its  services,  of  the 
Liturgy  and  Catechism  of  the  Church  of  England.  With- 
in two  years,  in  May,  1843,  the  bishop  threatened  Sir  W. 
Dunbar,  the  clergyman,  with  penal  discipline  and  church 
censures  because  he  ventured  to  claim  the  fulfillment  of 
this  covenant ;  and  required  from  him  an  unconditional 
submission  to  the  distinctive  canons  and  offices  of  the 
Scotch  Church.  The  compact  being  thus  broken  by  the 
very  party  who  had  made  it,  Sir  W.  Dunbar  and  his  con- 
gregation retracted  their  adhesion  to  the  Scotch  Episcopate. 
The  result  was  not  a  little  startling.  On  Aug.  10,  Bishop 
Skinner,  with  a  dozen  or  more  of  his  clergy  sitting  in 
synod,  fulminated  against  Sir  William  a  sentence  of  ex- 
communication, declared  all  his  ministerial  acts  invalid, 
as  being  "  performed  apart  from  Christ's  mystical  body, 
where  the  one  Spirit  is,"  and  most  earnestly  warned  all 
faithful  people  to  avoid  communion  with  him  in  prayer 
and  sacraments,  lest  they  should  be  partakers  with  him  in 
his  sin. 

A  little  earlier,  in  Edinburgh,  there  had  been  a  similar 
but  less  flagrant  exercise  of  Episcopal  authority,  leading 
to  renewed  separation.  Trinity  Chapel,  where  an  English 
congregation  had  worshiped  for  many  years,  had  lately 
become  united  with  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Drum- 
mond,  the  clergyman,  had  been  accustomed  to  hold  prayer- 
meetings  with  his  flock,  along  with  bible  classes,  for  their 
spiritual  edification,  and  these  proved  obnoxious  to  the 
ruling  powers.  A  new  canon  was  passed,  in  1838,  to 
render  all  such  meetings  unlawful ;  while  at  the  same  time 
the  epithet,  Protestant,  with  great  consistency,  was  ex- 
punged carefully  in  all  the  other  canons  from  the  title  of 
the  Episcopal  Church.  The  meetings  were  formally  com- 
plained of,  and  Dr.  Terrot  required  Mr.  Drummond  to  dis- 
continue them.  Impressed  with  the  conviction  that  a 
great  Scriptural  principle  was  at  stake,  he  thought  it  his 
duty  rather  to  resign  his  charge,  than  to  hold  it  fettered 

VOL.  H. — K 


218  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


by  this  new  and  unscriptural  restriction,  and  to  seek  a 
new  sphere  of  labor  in  England,  where  he  had  received 
his  own  orders.  A  further  inquiry,  however,  into  the 
Scotch  Canons  and  Communion  Service,  convinced  him 
that  there  were  serious  differences,  of  which  he  was  not 
previously  aware,  between  the  doctrine  and  constitution 
of  the  two  Churches.  "When  his  congregation,  therefore, 
offered  to  build  a  new  chapel,  and  urged  hiru  not  to  for- 
sake them,  but  to  minister  to  them  there  on  his  English 
orders,  as  before  the  union  with  the  Episcopal  Church,  no 
scruple  prevented  him  from  complying  with  their  wishes, 
especially  as  his  previous  labors  among  them  had  been 
attended  with  a  large  blessing. 

The  controversy  which  had  thus  been  kindled  by  a 
flagrant  breach  of  contract  in  one  case,  and  by  restrictive 
and  unscriptural  canons  on  the  other,  was  not  slow  in 
spreading  to  England.  All  the  Tractarian  organs  were 
loud  and  fierce  in  condemning  the  two  presbyters,  who  had 
been  guilty,  in  their  eyes,  of  a  scandalous  schism;  and 
called  on  the  English  bishops  and  clergy  to  ratify  the  ex- 
communication of  Bishop  Skinner,  and  maintain  the 
authority  of  the  Scotch  Bishops.  On  the  other  hand, 
Evangelical  Christians,  some  of  whom  had  adopted  high 
church  views  on  questions  of  order,  were  divided  and 
hesitating  in  their  judgment.  The  more  cautious  and 
timorous,  while  they  condemned  the  spirit  and  temper  of 
the  Scotch  Church,  blamed  equally  the  decisive  course  of 
Sir  W.  Dunbar  and  Mr.  Drummond,  and  would  have  had 
them  abandon  their  flocks,  and  retire  to  England,  rather 
than  endanger  the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  seem  to  con- 
tradict their  promise  of  canonical  obedience.  Others,  how- 
ever, felt  that  great  principles  were  already  at  stake ;  the 
purity  and  liberty  of  the  Gospel,  in  contrast  to  church 
tyranny  and  superstitious  doctrine ;  and  that  to  shrink 
from  the  conflict  because  of  present  odium,  would  only 
give  new  strength  to  evils,  which  were  daily  gaining 
ground  through  a  more  timorous  policy,  and  thus  betray 
the  sacred  interests  of  Divine  truth. 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  219 

The  question  soon  assumed  a  practical  shape  in  the 
Church  Missionary  Society.  The  Committee  of  its  Edin- 
burgh Auxiliary  belonged  chiefly  to  Mr.  Drummond's 
congregation,  who  had  been  foremost  in  that  work  of  love ; 
and  they  adhered  warmly  to  the  cause  of  their  own 
esteemed  pastor.  But  the  Society  had  also  many  friends 
in  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Scotland.  Some  of  these  pro- 
tested against  any  recognition  of  those  who  had  now 
seceded  from  it,  as  English  Churchmen,  and  threatened, 
if  this  were  done,  to  withdraw  from  it  altogether.  Early 
in  1844,  the  Parent  Committee,  after  much  perplexing 
discussion,  came  to  the  resolution  of  maintaining  a  perfect 
neutrality,  and  of  sending  a  Deputation  to  Scotland  with 
the  instruction,  not  to  preach  in  any  of  the  churches. 
They  could  not  openly  censure  and  disown  those  who  had 
separated  from  the  Scotch  Episcopacy,  without  seeming  to 
countenance  a  service  which  most  of  them  entirely  con- 
demned, and  restrictions  on  Christian  liberty,  which  they 
all  deplored ;  while,  if  they  espoused  their  cause,  they 
would  revolt  many  of  their  Scotch,  and  also  of  their 
English  friends ;  endanger,  perhaps,  their  newly -acquired 
episcopal  patronage,  and  rouse  against  themselves  a  great 
amount  of  bitter  clerical  hostility.  At  the  same  time  it 
was  stated  that  individual  members  of  the  Society  would 
be  left  free  to  follow  their  own  convictions,  either  by 
preaching  for  the  Scotch  Episcopal  clergy,  or  for  those 
English  ministers,  who  had  never  abandoned,  or  had  now 
resumed,  their  original  standing,  and  were  ministering  as 
clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England,  beyond  the  limits 
of  the  English  dioceses. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  was  one  of  those  who  would  have  pre- 
ferred a  more  decided  course  on  the  part  of  the  Society. 
He  believed  that  the  Scotch  Communion  Service  was  di- 
rectly opposed  to  those  evangelical  Protestant  principles, 
which  the  Society  had  ever  maintained,  and  which  were 
the  true  secret  of  its  strength  and  vitality.  He  feared 
that  by  a  neutral  course,  in  such  a  question,  they  would 
be  sacrificing  their  most  attached  friends,  to  conciliate 


220  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

others  of  only  doubtful  fidelity  to  their  cause,  and  would 
seem  to  regard  episcopal  order  as  equally  important  with 
the  purity  of  the  Gospel.  But  however  weighty  might 
be  the  reasons  for  caution,  in  so  perplexing  a  controversy, 
on  the  part  of  the  Society,  his  convictions  of  personal 
duty  were  plain  and  clear.  He  felt  bound  to  give  his  full 
sympathy  and  willing  aid,  to  those  brethren  who,  amid  a 
storm  of  bitter  invective  from  the  Tractarian  press,  were 
witnessing  for  Protestant  truth  against  a  Popish  Com- 
munion-service, and  for  Christian  liberty  in  the  pastoral 
office,  against  a  yoke  of  ritual  bondage,  which,  if  consist- 
ently enforced,  would  soon  be  fatal  to  the  very  life  of  the 
whole  church.  Accordingly,  when  an  earnest  request  was 
made  to  him  by  the  Edinburgh  Committee,  to  come  and 
preach  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society  in  Mr.  Drum- 
mond's  Church,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  comply.  He  remind- 
ed them,  however,  that  his  visit  must  be  so  arranged  as  to 
be  kept  quite  distinct  from  the  deputation  of  the  Parent 
Society,  whose  pledge  of  neutrality,  once  given,  he  would 
have  fulfilled  with  scrupulous  fidelity. 

But  here  new  complications  arose.  That  the  step  might 
be  seen  more  plainly  to  be  his  own  private  act,  he  ab- 
stained at  first  from  announcing  his  purpose  to  the  Parent 
Committee.  When,  however,  it  came  indirectly  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  President,  he  earnestly  desired  him  to 
make  it  known  to  them,  since  he  feared  that  it  might  seem 
to  the  public  like  a  breach  of  their  engagement.  The 
result  was  an  earnest  request  that  he  would  abandon  his 
visit,  on  the  ground  that  his  long  official  connection  with 
the  Society,  and  his  especial  prominence  with  the  public, 
among  its  advocates  and  friends,  would  make  his  act  be 
ascribed  to  the  whole  body,  and  involve  them  in  a  breach 
of  promise.  Though  he  dissented  entirely  from  this 
reasoning,  in  which  false  impressions  were  confounded 
with  realities,  yet,  out  of  deference  to  friends  whom  he  so 
dearly  loved,  he  wrote  to  obtain  a  release,  for  the  time, 
from  his  Edinburgh  engagement.  But  when  he  found 
that  the  Sermons  and  Meetings  had  been  already  adver- 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  221 


tised,  he  could  no  longer  withdraw,  without  sacrificing  his 
own  convictions  of  duty,  and  a  positive  promise,  and  even 
the  very  neutrality  desired  by  others,  to  an  illusive  show 
of  neutrality,  that  would  be  in  reality  a  heavy  discourage- 
ment to  faithful  and  beloved  brethren.  lie  remained, 
therefore,  immovable  in  his  purpose,  in  spite  of  entreaties 
and  expostulations  from  some  of  his  dearest  friends,  and 
set  out  for  Edinburgh,  toward  the  close  of  April,  in  ful- 
fillment of  his  promise.  He  alludes  repeatedly  to  this 
journey  in  his  private  diary,  and  to  the  deep  and  anxious 
thought  it  occasioned  him. 

January  28,  1844.  Truly  the  Lord  Jesus  is  my  only 
salvation,  nor  can  I  find  any  rest  or  peace,  but  in  Him. 
But  enable  me  to  glorify  Thy  name,  in  home,  relative, 
and  personal,  and  ministerial  duties,  day  by  day,  hour 
by  hour.    .    .  . 

"I  have  before  me  anxious  journeys  to  Edinburgh, 
Aberdeen,  and  Cambridge,  as  well  as  an  important  pro- 
phetical sermon  in  London. 

"  My  bodily  health  has  been  more  shaken  also  latterly. 
May  all  be  sanctified,  and  help  to  make  me  a  vessel  meet 
for  the  Master's  use !  0  Lord,  give  the  oil  in  my  vessel 
with  my  lamp,  that  I  may  not  be  ashamed  before  Thee  at 
Thy  coming,  but  may  welcome  all  the  signs  of  Thy  re- 
turn, and  be  ever  waiting  for  Thy  appearing !  It  is  a 
wonderful  calm  in  the  whole  political  world,  and  all  dis- 
turbances seem  quieted !    Lord,  keep  me  watchful ! 

"  February  24.  Through  mercy  I  am  spared  and 
blessed.  I  have  been  to  Manchester,  Liverpool  and  Ches- 
ter, for  the  Foreign  Aid  Society,  and  expect,  early  in 
March,  to  go  to  Cambridge  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society. 

u  I  have  become  involved  in  an  important  subject,  by 
having  engaged  to  preach  for  the  Church  Missionary  So- 
ciety in  April,  in  Mr.  Drummond's  pulpit  at  Edinburgh, 
and  Sir  W.  Dunbar's  at  Aberdeen.  It  has  exposed  me  to 
objections,  both  from  the  friends  and  the  enemies  of  the 
gospel ;  but  I  trust  that  my  governing  motive  has  been, 


222  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


a  desire  to  approve  myself  to  my  Savior ;  and  if  I  suffer 
for  -well-doing,  let  me  be  thankful.  Ob,  what  I  want  more 
than  every  thing  is,  more  spirituality,  more  devotion,  more 
ready  self-denial,  more  quiet  fulfillment  of  immediate  du- 
ties, more  close-walking  with  God  !  Lord,  give  me  these 
for  Christ's  sake." 

On  January  the  15th  he  wrote  to  a  member  of  the 
Committee : — 

"  I  deeply  grieve  that  our  friends  should  think  it  best  to  con- 
tinue neutral  in  so  vital  a  controversy ;  and  thus  the  Society 
should  discountenance  its  honest  friends,  who  have  been  faithful 
to  their  Lord,  and  encourage  the  enemies  of  the  Society, who  have 
been  adverse  to  His  truth,  and  to  our  Society  also.  I  can  con- 
ceive nothing  more  antichristian,  almost,  than  to  forbid  social 
prayer-meetings.  I  believe  that  if  St.  Peter  had  done  this,  not 
only  St.  Paul,  but  the  whole  body  of  the  Apostles,  would  have 
withstood  him  to  the  face.  I  wish  you  would  look  at  Bishop  Hall's 
Works,  and  see  how  again  and  again  that  good  bishop  sanctioned 
it,  and  admits  it  to  be  sacrilege  to  rob  the  people  of  such  prayer. 
Why  was  an  English  clergyman  to  betray  his  Master's  cause,  by 
yielding  to  such  an  unscriptural  injunction  ?  I  believe  it  to  be  a 
case  in  which  the  Society  might  make  a  righteous  stand  for  God's 
truth,  and  their  own  Christian  liberty.  If  they  yield  here,  every 
missionary  prayer-meeting,  and  our  own  blessed  Saturday-even- 
ing meeting,  is  left  open  to  assault.  The  whole  evangelical 
body  will  rally  round  God's  truth,  and  the  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  us  free." 

In  other  letters  on  the  same  day  he  observed:  "It  is 
an  important  crisis  in  the  Society,  and  many  prayers  will 
ascend,  that  they  may  be  guided  aright.  Great  ignorance 
exists  on  the  subject,  and  we  all  need  more  faith." 

On  January  23,  he  wrote  in  these  words,  to  accept  the 
invitation : 

"  I  should  be  desirous,  in  going  so  far,  really  to  serve  the  cause 
of  the  Society,  as  well  as  of  Christ,  indeed  both  in  one  ;  for  the 
Society  is  dear  to  me,  as  I  believe  it  to  be  the  honored  instrument 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  223 


of  spreading  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Thankful  shall  I  be,  if 
in  any  way  I  can  help  to  heal  the  breaches,  without  symbolizing 
with  the  errors  of  the  Apostasy.  The  Lord  himself  guide  and 
prosper  me,  enable  me  to  discern  His  will,  and  ever  to  stand  by 
His  truth  ;  and  strengthen  us  in  body  and  soul  to  confess  Him  be- 
fore men,  and  that  in  His  spirit,  and  not  in  ours. 

"  Of  course  it  is  important  that  my  visit,  and  the  Deputation 
from  the  Parent  Society,  should  be  quite  distinct,  and  at  distinct 
times." 

Six  days  later,  he  wrote  to  a  friend  in  the  London  Com- 
mittee. 

"  I  desire  to  be  quite  as  anxious  as  yourself  that  the  Parent 
Society  should  be  entirely  separated  from  my  visit  to  Scotland ; 
feeling  with  you  the  vital  importance,  when  it  has  fixed  upon  a 
course,  that  it  should  pursue  it  with  godly  simplicity  and  sincer- 
ity, and  abominating  from  my  heart  all  trickery.  I  will  fully  de- 
clare in  public  in  Scotland  that  I  come  on  my  own  responsibility, 
and  on  the  invitation  of  the  local  friends,  in  whose  pulpits  I 
preach,  without  any  sanction  from  the  Parent  Society.  I  had  of- 
fered the  end  of  next  month,  but,  to  meet  your  fears,  have  by  this 
post  put  it  off." 

On  February  23,  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Drummond,  who 
feared  lest  the  scruples  of  the  Committee  should  interfere 
with  the  fulfillment  of  his  promise,  and  cause  insuperable 
difficulties  in  the  arrangements. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  your  Scriptural  standing,  and  therefore  re- 
joice to  come,  and  in  that  respect  share  your  cross.  But  the 
strength  of  our  conviction  on  this  point  may  well  make  us  pa- 
tient and  yielding  in  minor  matters,  which  do  not  really  affect  it. 
Do  not  be  tempted,  dear  brother,  by  your  situation,  to  think  these 
lesser  things  of  importance.  Let  the  faith,  the  patience,  and  for- 
bearance, of  yourself  and  your  flock,  still  glorify  your  Savior 
abundantly  in  all." 

Two  days  later  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the 


224  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Secretaries,  in  order  to  place  it  clearly  on  record,  that  the 
visit  was  on  his  private  responsibility. 

Watton  Rectory,  Feb.  5. 

My  dear  Friends, 

At  the  earnest  invitation  of  the  friends  of  the  Society  in  Scot- 
land, I  have  undertaken  to  visit  them,  and  to  preach  in  such  pul- 
pits as  may  he  open  to  me,  for  the  Society. 

I  understand  that  some  of  our  friends  in  England  are  anxious 
that  this  journey  should  be  openly  and  avowedly  disconnected 
from  any  sanction,  direct  or  indirect,  of  the  Society  ;  and  I  am 
myself  equally  anxious,  after  you  have  pledged  yourselves  to  a 
course  which  you  deem  necessary,  that  there  should  be  no  ap- 
pearance of  doing  indirectly,  by  friends  of  the  Society,  what  they 
declined  doing  directly.  But  at  the  same  time  I  feel  that  the 
Committee  never  intended,  or  could  intend,  to  prevent  individuals 
from  doing  what  they  feel  to  be  right,  in  their  private  character. 

Under  these  circumstances,  however,  connected  as  I  have  been 
with  the  Parent  Society,  it  is  due  to  the  Committee,  and  due  to 
myself,  thus  explicitly  to  state  to  you  that  I  have  undertaken  the 
journey,  and  complied  with  the  wishes  of  our  friends,  entirely  on 
my  own  responsibility,  and  without  the  slightest  sanction  from 
the  Secretaries  of  the  Parent  Society,  or  from  any  member  of  the 
Committee. 

I  believe  from  my  heart  that  the  English  Clergymen,  who  had 
for  a  season  joined  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church,  have  done  noth- 
ing that  could  justify  harsh  proceedings  in  any  of  the  bishops  of 
that  church  against  them,  or  to  taint  their  character,  as  consis- 
tent and  orderly  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England.  I  believe, 
also,  that  it  is  a  special  duty  to  sympathize  with  those  in  trial, 
when  standing  firm  for  the  liberty  and  truth  of  the  Gospel.  I 
dare  not,  therefore,  as  a  Christian  Minister,  stand  aloof  from  be- 
loved and  devoted  brethren  in  these  circumstances. 

I  know  the  difficulties  of  the  Committee,  and  would  be  far  from 
condemning  their  minutes.  I  can  not,  however,  but  earnestly 
pray  that  a  gracious  Savior  may  ever  guide  you  to  those  de- 
cisions, which  are  most  for  His  glory,  in  the  faithful  maintenance 
of  those  pure  truths  of  the  Gospel,  which  are  the  whole  founda- 
tion of  the  Church  Missionary  Society, — which  God  has  so  largely 
blessed  in  times  past,  and  I  trust  will  yet  more  largely  bless 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHUKCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  225 


in  time  to  come.  Let  us  also  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  us  free,  reverencing  authorities,  but  obeying  God 
rather  than  man.  I  am  only  anxious,  for  my  own  part,  to  fulfill 
my  duty  in  godly  simplicity,  to  Him  whose  I  am,  and  whom  I 
serve. 

In  Him  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Anxious  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  Parent  Committee 
in  the  fullest  manner,  he  wrote  to  Edinburgh  on  February 
10,  requesting  that  his  visit  might  be  fixed  two  or  three 
months  later,  so  as  to  disconnect  it  entirely,  in  point  of 
time,  from  the  deputation  early  in  April.  But  when  he 
learned,  by  their  reply,  that  his  coming  at  the  close  of 
April  had  been  advertised,  with  the  Sermons  and  Meet- 
ings, he  felt  bound  to  adhere  to  his  promise.  The  great 
caution,  however,  of  the  London  Committee,  and  the  ef- 
forts which  had  been  used  to  dissuade  him  from  the  jour- 
ney, produced  a  natural  jealousy  in  many  of  the  friends 
to  the  cause  in  Edinburgh,  who  thought  that  real  neutral- 
ity was  sacrificed  for  a  mere  shadow,  and  that  it  would 
have  the  moral  influence  of  a  positive  condemnation.  In 
fact,  where  great  religious  principles  are  involved,  abso- 
lute neutrality,  even  when  honestly  sought,  is  practically 
impossible.  The  moral  influence  must  preponderate  in 
one  scale  or  the  other ;  and  all  indecision  in  the  cause  of 
truth  will  give  a  real  advantage  to  the  progress  of  error. 
Mr.  Bickersteth  was  most  desirous  to  prevent  the  growth 
of  a  feeling,  which  circumstances  rendered  almost  inevita- 
ble, and  wrote  the  following  letters  on  the  same  day,  Feb- 
ruary 21,  to  Mr.  Drummond,  and  to  a  member  of  the  Pa- 
rent Committee. 

My  dearest  Drummond, 
.  .  .  Your  letter  of  the  1 6th  places  all  in  a  different  position 
from  what  I  knew  when  I  last  wrote.  I  have  promised  to  you, 
and  you  have  promised  to  the  public.  Unless,  therefore,  you  have 
made  subsequent  arrangements  in  consequence  of  my  letter,  I 
see  it  right  to  adhere  to  my  original  promise. 


226  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


I  am  very  anxious,  however,  that  you  and  our  dear  brethren 
in  Scotland  should  not  think  the  worse  of  the  Committee  in 
London  for  the  part  which  they  have  seen  it  right  to  act.  Let 
us  admire  their  delicate  sense  of  honor,  to  adhere  scrupulously  to 
their  neutrality,  as  they  viewed  it.  Let  us  enter  into  their  diffi- 
culties, from  so  large  a  proportion  of  their  most  devoted  friends 
viewing  the  matter  differently  from  myself.  Let  us  consider  their 
just  having  come  out  of  a  painful  collision.  Let  us  remem- 
ber that  a  corporate  and  representative  body  has  necessarily  to 
consider,  not  only  what  is  right,  but  also  what  is  the  best  way  of 
doing  what  is  right,  so  as  to  commend  it  to  the  judgment  of  their 
supporters.  Let  us  remember,  also,  the  consideration  due  to 
faithful  brethren  in  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church.  And  then 
consider  how,  to  this  hour,  I  am  identified  with  the  acts  of  the 
Society. 

In  these  views  I  can  not  judge  harshly  of  the  Parent  Com- 
mittee. They  will  have  the  whole  battle  to  light,  and  it  becomes 
them  to  be  very  cautious  in  their  movements. 

I  am  also  peculiarly  anxious  about  your  beloved  flock.  The 
zeal,  the  decision,  the  faith,  and  the  love,  which  has  made  them 
stand  firmly  by  you,  is  admirable.  But  oh,  let  it  be  joined  with 
patient  forbearance,  meekness  of  wisdom,  long-suffering,  and 
charity  !  Let  patience  have  its  perfect  work  among  you.  For 
your  position  is  peculiarly  perilous,  and  warmth,  zeal,  and  indis- 
cretion, might  soon  mar  your  excellent  standing.  Adhering  to  a 
noble  institution,  like  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  will  be  a 
great  stay  to  your  whole  flock.  I  do  trust,  our  Evangelical  So- 
cieties may  help  us,  in  the  coming  war,  to  bind  all  who  love 
Christ  more  and  more  firmly  together.  Tell  them,  with  my 
hearty  Christian  love,  I  entreat  them  to  think  well  of  the  Parent 
Committee.  There  is  a  real  desire  in  the  whole  body  to  do  what 
they  think  to  be  right  in  the  sight  of  God.  We  must  not  let  the 
common  enemy  divide  the  little  flock  ;  but  if  any  are  weak,  while 
others  are  strong,  the  strong  must  bear  with  the  weak.  .  .  .  God 
graciously  guide  us  all.  May  the  season  of  Lent  lead  us  to  what 
is  becoming  to  us  all — humiliation  before  our  God. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Dearest   , 

I  send  you  the  inclosed  copy  of  a  letter  I  have  written  to 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHUKCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  227 


Mr.  Drummond,  as  I  wish  to  act  with  perfect  confidence  and 
openness. 

It  appears  to  me  that  the  Committee  have  now  taken  every 
step  which  they  could,  and  more  than  was  required,  to  disconnect 
the  journey  I  take  from  the  Deputation  of  the  Parent  Society. 
May  they  be  equally  anxious  to  disconnect  themselves  from  the 
contamination  of  the  tendency  to  Popery  in  the  Scotch  Episcopal 
Church — a  duty,  to  which  faithfulness  to  our  Redeemer  calls 
them.  The  fact  is  palpable.  Their  Canons  and  their  Commun- 
ion Service  are  published  and  gloried  in. 

0  beware  how  you  put  a  stumbling-block  in  the  way  of  faith- 
ful, but  reviled  and  suffering  servants  of  Christ !  I  am  sure  that 
this  is  the  farthest  thing  from  the  heart  of  my  beloved  brethren 
in  the  Committee.  May  our  common  God  and  Savior  give  us  all 
wisdom,  in  every  part  of  this  intricate  business,  to  do  that  which 
will  promote  His  truth,  and  glorify  His  name. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BiCKERSTETH. 

The  following  note  was  written  to  a  valued  friend,  who, 
under  a  false  impression  of  the  circumstances,  as  he  owned 
a  few  months  later,  had  written  to  dissuade  him  from  the 
journey,  and  taxed  him  with  a  desire  to  fight  his  own  bat- 
tles at  the  expense  of  the  Society,  and  involve  it  in  a 
breach  of  promise. 

Dear  , 

If  you  had  known  the  whole  case,  you  would  not  have  written 
as  you  have  done. 

In  the  Committee  of  Jan.  18,  it  was  distinctly  stated  that  the 
minutes  then  passed  did  not  affect  the  members  of  the  Society, 
individually. 

1  have  promised  to  the  Edinburgh  Committee  to  preach  for  their 
Auxiliary  ;  and  in  consequence  of  this,  they  have  promised,  in  an 
advertisement  of  February  10,  to  their  subscribers.  I  can  not 
break  my  promise. 

The  Society  has  no  right,  the  public  has  no  right,  to  identify 
me,  nor  will  I  be  identified,  with  any  Society,  but  as  they  hold 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  which  ought  to  be  dearer  to  us  than 
all  other  considerations. 


228  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Thank  you  for  your  love  in  writing,  but  when  I  feel  conscience- 
clear,  and  conscience-bound  to  a  course,  I  hope  God  will  keep  me 
steadfast. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  journey  which  was  thus  undertaken,  amid  reproach 
and  difficulty,  in  the  full  conviction  that  it  was  required 
by  faithfulness  to  the  cause  of  the  gospel,  was  attended 
through  its  whole  course,  with  many  tokens  of  the  Divine 
blessing.  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  welcomed  by  the  English 
congregations,  at  Edinburgh,  Aberdeen,  and  Glasgow, 
with  deep  and  almost  enthusiastic  love;  and  there  was 
perhaps  none  of  his  previous  journeys,  in  which  so  large  a 
measure  of  his  Master's  spirit  seemed  to  be  given  him. 
His  whole  conduct  agreed  with  his  expressed  desire,  be- 
fore he  set  out,  to  heal  breaches,  if  it  were  possible,  with- 
out unfaithfulness  to  the  cause  of  the  gospel.  In  this 
spirit  he  sought  an  interview,  when  in  Edinburgh,  with 
Bishop  Terrot,  that  he  might  offer  a  kind  and  friendly  ex- 
planation of  the  motives  which  had  led  to  his  visit.  He 
hoped  that,  if  agreement  in  their  maxims  of  judgment  was 
unattainable,  this  conscientious  difference  might  at  least  be 
freed  from  any  appearance  of  personal  disrespect  on  the 
one  side,  and  from  all  bitterness  of  feeling  on  the  other. 
This  object  of  the  visit  was  fully  attained.  The  last  ser- 
mon which  he  preached  before  he  left  Edinburgh,  was 
published,  on  his  return  home,  with  the  title  "The  Chris- 
tian Blessing."  Its  text  was  the  customary  benediction, 
2  Cor.  xiii.  14,  and  its  character  was  a  powerful  enforce- 
ment of  Christian  love. 

A  letter  addressed  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Society,  on 
May  9,  after  his  return,  explains  the  course  and  the  result 
of  the  journey. 

My  dear  Friends, 
Having  completed  my  visit  to  Scotland,  it  appears  to  me  de- 
sirable, with  reference  to  the  future  course  of  the  Society,  to  give 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  229 


you  particulars  of  my  journey,  and  the  information  which  it 
furnished. 

I  thank  God  that  His  providence  made  the  way  clear ;  for  I 
should  otherwise  have  been  deprived  of  the  privilege  and  comfort 
of  brotherly  sympathy  with  tried  brethren,  in  their  faithful  ad- 
herence to  the  Standards  and  Formularies  of  our  Church,  and  of 
strengthening  the  attachment  of  their  congregations  to  our  Church 
Missions. 

I  preached  for  the  Rev.  Sir  W.  Dunbar,  in  St.  Paul's  Church, 
at  Aberdeen,  on  April  21st,  to  a  large  and  highly-respectable  con- 
gregation. I  had  on  the  following  day  the  pleasure  of  personal 
intercourse  with  many  of  them,  and  was  refreshed  by  their  Chris- 
tian spirit. 

On  Wednesday,  the  24th,  I  preached  for  the  Society  in  the 
Rev.  C.  P.  Miles'  Church,  St.  Jude's,  Glasgow.  He  is  a  faithful 
Minister  in  connection  with  the  Scoich  Episcopal  Church,  but  has 
the  same  liberty  in  conducting  his  ministry  according  to  our 
church  services,  that  we  have  in  England.  I  was  glad  to  find 
that  the  Bishop  of  Glasgow  has  patronized  the  formation  of  a 
Glasgow  auxiliary  to  the  Church  Missionary  Society. 

On  Snnday,  April  28,  and  Monday  the  29th,  I  preached  for  the 
Society  in  Mr.  Drummond's  new  Church  of  St.  Thomas,  Edinburgh, 
to  large  congregations.  The  interest  felt  by  his  flock  for  the  So- 
ciety will  be  seen  in  the  amount,  £112,  collected  after  the  ser- 
mons. I  have  never  been  more  delighted  with  the  manifest  spirit 
of  devotion  and  Christian  feeling,  in  any  congregation  during  my 
ministry.    Truly  the  presence  of  our  God  was  with  us. 

I  felt  it  respectful  to  call  on  Bishop  Terrot,  and  had  a  lengthen- 
ed conference  with  him  :  he  received  me  with  courtesy  and  kind- 
ness. I  also  saw,  in  the  course  of  my  journey,  several  clergymen 
of  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church,  and  made  such  inquiries  as  were 
in  my  power,  respecting  the  position  of  that  Church,  and  of  the 
English  Churches  in  Scotland.  .  .  ; 

I  rejoice  to  know  and  testify  that  there  are,  in  the  ninety  minis- 
ters serving  in  the  Scotch  Church  men  of  much  piety  and  faith- 
fulness. They  naturally  sympathize  with  the  efforts  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  and  count  it  a  privilege,  as  it  really  is,  to  be 
partakers  in  its  blessed  work  of  Christian  love.  Through  the 
Episcopal  Association  recently  formed  in  Edinburgh,  and  the 
Glasgow  auxiliary,  under  the  kind  patronage  of  its  bishop,  I  am 


230  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


thankful  that  they  have  an  opportunity  of  doing  so,  in  harmony 
with  their  views  of  Church  order,  which  I  desire  to  respect ; 
while  I  trust  that  their  liberty,  as  English  clergymen,  will  be 
guaranteed  by  the  failure  of  the  efforts  to  displace  SirW.  Dunbar 
and  Mr.  Drummond.  I  see  no  reason  why,  in  congregations  thus 
connected  with  the  Scotch  Episcopacy,  where  the  English  Lit- 
urgy only  js  used,  clergymen  in  our  deputations  should  not  be  at 
full  liberty  to  preach  for  the  Society. 

Still  less  do  I  see  reason,  why  they  should  not  have  that  liberty, 
to  preach  in  the  pulpits  of  faithful  and  orderly  English  clergymen, 
like  Sir  W.  Dunbar  and  Mr.  Drummond.  I  have  been  a  wit- 
ness of  the  piety,  zeal,  and  love  of  their  flocks  to  Christ  and  His 
truth,  and  of  the  evangelical  and  devotional  spirit  of  these  faith- 
ful ministers  of  our  Church,  and  of  their  conformity  of  worship 
with  us  in  their  congregations. 

Only  in  this  way,  it  seems  to  me,  can  the  Committee  be  relieved 
from  undue  interference  with  questions,  which,  as  a  Society,  we 
are  not  competent  to  solve  ;  or  from  dissipating  a  bright  flame  of 
Missionary  zeal,  which  has  been  kindled  in  Scotland,  and  which, 
I  trust,  may  yet  spread,  and  be  a  large  blessing,  not  only  to  the 
heathen,  but  to  all  the  churches  which  thus  shine  as  lights,  hold- 
ing forth  the  word  of  life. 

God  Almighty  graciously  guide  all  your  deliberations,  and  make 
your  work  an  increasing  blessing  to  yourselves,  to  our  Church,  and 
to  the  benighted  heathen  world,  prays, 

Yours  very  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

In  a  note  written  May  1,  from  Liverpool,  to  his  son  at 
College,  he  thus  expresses  his  own  feelings,  in  the  review 
of  his  Scotch  visit. 

I  left  Edinburgh  on  Monday,  the  29th,  after  a  journey  more 
full  of  spiritual  mercies  and  blessings  than  any  that  I  ever  under- 
took. Thanks  be  to  God,  and  thanks  be  to  you,  my  love,  for  your 
prayers,  which  were  abundantly  answered.  .  .  .  The  Lord, 
when  we  are  trusting  in  Him,  and  doing  His  work,  will  always 
abundantly  meet  our  real  wants.  0  what  a  good  Father  our 
common  and  best  Father  is  !  All  my  love  to  you,  which  is  not 
small,  is  from  His  first  love ;  and  there  are  unsearchable  heights, 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  SCOTLAND.  231 


and  lengths,  and  depths,  and  breadths,  in  that  unfathomable 
ocean  of  goodness.  .  .  . 

I  should  like  to  send  you  a  long  account  of  my  journey.  It  was 
brim- full  of  God's  goodness,  at  Aberdeen,  at  Glasgow,  and  at 
Edinburgh ;  and  the  love  of  the  Christians  at  each  place  was 
most  precious.  None  love  like  real  Christians,  and  you  know  the 
sweetness  of  this  love. 

A  few  days  later,  May  11,  he  alluded  in  another  note 
to  the  same  subject,  and  his  own  feelings  under  the  praise 
or  censure  he  might  receive. 

My  views  were  greatly  strengthened  and  confirmed,  when  in 
Scotland.  Those  who  love  our  Savior  are  with  Sir  W.  Dunbar 
and  Mr.  Drummond ;  and  their  congregations  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth  where  they  are  settled. 

You  were  quite  right  about  the  Secession  Churches.  I  wish  to 
do  nothing  irregular,  having  plenty  to  do  as  a  consistent  clergy- 
man in  my  own  Church. 

My  account  of  my  journey  would  occupy  a  long  time.  I  have 
just  sent  it  to  the  Church  Missionaiy  Society.  The  matter  is 
now  getting  into  all  the  London  papers,  and  I  shall  be  plentifully 
hated  and  abused,  and  plentifully  loved  and  praised.  But  the 
only  thing  of  real  importance  is, — Will  the  blessed  Savior 
approve  and  accept  ?  I  have  a  good  hope  that  He  will,  and 
then  it  is  of  little  consequence  having  to  pass  either  through 
good  or  through  evil  report.    God  bless  you,  my  dear  son,  prays 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  decision  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  in  maintaining  a  right- 
eous cause,  amid  the  invectives  of  adversaries,  and  the 
misconceptions  or  timorousness  of  beloved  friends,  had  a 
speedy  recompense.  His  communications,  on  his  return, 
to  his  own  diocesan,  who  had  been  applied  to  by  some  of 
the  Scotch  Bishops,  and  through  him  to  the  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  had  the  effect  they  would  naturally  pro- 
duce on  candid  minds,  who  were  not  disposed  to  sacrifice 
scriptural  truth  and  liturgical  consistency,  law  and  prece- 
dent, to  interdicts  framed  in  miniature  on  the  Romish. 


232  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


model.  The  following  note,  which  he  received  in  June 
from  a  member  of  the  London  Committee,  who  had  strongly 
dissuaded  him  from  the  visit,  shows  the  new  aspect  in  which 
the  subject  now  appeared. 

My  dear  Bickersteth, 

I  received  your  note  with  great  joy.  Surely  the  overruling 
hand  of  the  Lord  is  manifest  in  the  whole  affair. 

You  now  stand  clear  of  all  annoyance,  and  you  have  cleared 
the  way  for  any  other  clergyman  to  go  down  to  Edinburgh  and 
Aberdeen  ;  and  we  have  vindicated  our  honesty  of  intention. 
But  at  the  same  time  it  is  clear  that  we  can  not  again  interpose 
a  word  against  any  one,  however  closely  connected  with  us,  who 
may  choose  to  preach  our  sermons  in  the  proscribed  pulpits. 

Whether,  under  these  circumstances,  it  will  be  necessary  to  in- 
terdict our  deputation  from  preaching,  is  a  matter  of  very  little 
moment,  and  may  well  be  deferred  till  the  time  arrives  for 
decision.  I  have  read  your  sermon  (preached  at  Edinburgh) 
with  great  interest  and  thankfulness. 

While  this  change  of  feeling  was  still  only  in  progress, 
he  thus  expressed  his  own  principles  of  action,  in  a  note 
to  one  of  his  Scotch  friends. 

I  am  indisposed  to  mix  further  controversy  with  the  spiritual 
triumphs  which  our  God  has  so  clearly  given  us,  and  which  will 
be  more  and  more  manifest,  if  we  leave  it  with  Him.  I  can  say 
this  the  more  freely,  as  it  is  simply  personal  suffering  for  our- 
selves. .  .  .  The  ignorant  account  me  rash,  in  acting  contrary  to 
the  wishes  of  the  Society,  and  your  standing  as  a  church  is  not 
fully  cleared.  This  is  the  evil :  I  am  willing  to  bear  it,  and  I 
dare  say  you  will  see  it  to  be  right.  We  make  a  present  sacri- 
fice for  the  good  of  missions,  as  we  have  often  before  ;  and  while 
leaders  in  the  Society  here  are  softening,  all  the  rest  will  come 
right  in  time.  It  is  the  patience  of  Christ,  leaving  it  to  the  Lord 
to  clear  up  all,  that  gives  us  the  full  victory. 

The  whole  course  of  events,  during  the  seven  years 
which  have  passed  since  this  journey  of  Mr.  Bickersteth, 
has  proved  how  clear  and  just  a  view  he  took  of  the  real 


BIRTH-DAY. 


233 


nature  of  the  conflict.  It  is  hardly  too  much  to  say,  that 
if  all,  even  of  the  evangelical  clergy,  had  been  equally 
prompt  to  discern  the  inroads  of  Romish  doctrines,  and  to 
resist  the  assumptions  of  abused  and  unscriptural  authority, 
the  canker  of  superstition  could  never  have  spread  so 
widely,  and  the  country  and  the  Church  might  perhaps 
have  been  spared  the  insult  and  the  danger  which  now 
threatens  them,  from  the  growing  pretensions  and  direct 
aggression  of  the  Church  of  Eome. 

The  other  engagements  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  at  this  time, 
and  his  views  of  passing  events,  are  seen  in  these  extracts 
from  his  journal. 

"  March  19,  1844.  I  this  day  complete  fifty-eight  years 
of  age — a  life  full  of  singular  mercies  and  blessings,  and 
greatly  wanting  in  corresponding  returns  of  love  to  my 
God.  The  last  year  has  been  strongly  marked,  in  the 
separation  of  the  Free  Church  from  the  Established  Church 
of  Scotland ;  in  the  increased  conflict  with  Popery ;  and 
many  shakings  in  the  Church  of  England,  as  well  as  in  the 
movements  affecting  the  Jewish  nation. 

"In  the  meanwhile,  we  have  each  to  be  watching, 
praying,  and  waiting.  Through  God's  mercy  I  published 
this  year  the  'Promised  Glory  of  the  Church  of  Christ;' 
and  the  'Christian  Student,'  the  'Treatise  on  Baptism,' 
'Scripture  Help,'  and  'Practical  Guide,'  are  going  through 
fresh  editions.  May  all  these  works  be  more  and  more 
used  for  good,  and  become  a  blessing  to  others.  For 
myself,  1  am  more  and  more  compelled  to  see  that  I  can 
hope  for  nothing  but  through  free  and  abounding  mercy. 
I  am  compelled  to  exclaim,  when  I  look  at  the  state 
of  my  soul,  and  the  deadness  of  my  affections,  and  my 
wanderings  in  religious  services,  '  Can  these  dry  bones 
live  ?'  0  Lord,  quicken  me  and  raise  me  to  newness  of 
life. 

"  April  6.  ...  I  trust  there  is  a  little  stir  for  good 
among  my  dear  people  at  Watton.  Fresh  communicants 
are  joining  the  Lord's  table.  Oh  !  with  what  joy  should 
I  see  a  decided  work  of  grace  among  them.    It  would  be 


234  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


more  to  me  than  all  the  wealth  and  glory  the  world  could 
give. 

"O  Lord  Jesus,  leave  us  not;  come  near  and  help  us. 
Give  testimony  to  the  word  of  Thy  grace,  and  may  we  all 
be  quickened  by  Thy  Spirit ! 

"  I  had  three  important  sermons  in  London  last  week  ; 
the  Prophetical  at  Bloomsbury,  and  for  public  charities  in 
St.  Olave's,  and  in  St.  Dunstan's.  Thanks  be  to  God  for 
strength  for  His  service. 

"  May  25.  Since  last  communion,  I  have  been  carried 
through  many  weighty  and  important  duties,  thank  God ! 
with  comfort,  and  I  hope  with  usefulness.  .  .  . 

"  I  have  in  London  pleaded  also  for  various  Societies, 
the  Jews',  the  Indigent  Blind,  the  Widow's  Friend,  the 
Religious  Tract,  and  the  Foreign  Aid  Societies.  To  God 
be  glory  for  any  good  or  blessing.  May  He  pardon  all 
the  many  sins  of  my  poor  services,  prevent  evil  from 
them,  and  accept  of  what  I  have  done,  for  Jesus'  sake/ 

"  I  am  compelled  more  and  more  to  renounce  all  confi- 
dence in  my  own  doings,  and  cling  only  to  Jesus.  If  I 
look  at  my  defects  as  a  father,  a  husband,  a  minister,  a 
friend,  a  master,  in  my  home,  my  parish,  in  my  church, 
in  my  country,  toward  all  men,  in  my  devotions,  in  pub- 
lic, in  private — all,  all  is  stained  and  denied,  and  I  can 
have  no  peace,  no  hope,  but  as  I  wash  every  robe  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  look  to  the  sprinkling  of  that 
blood  on  all  I  do  and  have  done. 

"  0  go  with  me  now  to  Thy  house  and  table,  and  let 
not  my  soul  be  formal,  dead,  dry,  and  barren  !  Give  me 
realizing  communion  with  Thee,  my  God,  and  with  Thy 
people,  in  prayer  and  at  Thy  table ;  and  let  Thy  blessed 
unction  be  largely  granted  in  my  ministry,  and  through 
the  worship  and  services  of  this  day.  Oh,  how  empty  are 
all,  unless  Thy  presence  be  in  the  midst  of  them ! 

"  The  confirmation  in  my  parish-church  for  the  first 
time  is  on  Friday,  June  7.  The  Bishop  of  Lincoln  stays 
at  my  house ;  my  two  youngest  children  are  to  be  con- 
firmed. 


CONFIRMATION. 


235 


"June  29.  I  have  been  more  stationary  in  the  last 
month,  though  I  have  preached  for  the  Foreign  Aid  So- 
ciety at  Clapham  and  Sydenham,  and  for  a  new  Church  in 
Christ's  Chapel,  John's  wood.  .  .  . 

"The  times  continue  shaking  and  difficult,  and  vital 
godliness  has  little  favor  from  the  authorities  in  State  at 
least.  A  false  liberalism,  in  a  conservative  government, 
favors  both  Socinians  and  Papists,  and  who  can  tell  the  sad 
issue? 

"  But  the  main  thing  I  have  to  regard  is  my  own  faith- 
fulness to  Jesus.  0  that  I  may  not  be  wanting  there  !  O 
Lord,  uphold,  preserve,  and  keep  me,  and  guard  me  from 
temptations  on  every  side  ! 

"  June  30.  I  desire  most  gratefully  to  record  the  lov- 
ing-kindness of  the  Lord,  that  I  could  admit  my  two 
youngest  children  this  day  to  the  Lord's  table;  and  so 
had  the  privilege  of  seeing  my  whole  family,  my  wife  and 
six  children,  with,  I  trust,  penitent,  believing,  and  loving 
hearts,  commemorating  our  Savior's  death.  What  am  I, 
that  the  Lord  should  thus  be  gracious  to  me  and  mine ! 
To  Him  be  all  the  glory  ;  and  may  He  largely  vouchsafe 
His  grace  to  all,  that  we  may  continually  seek  His  praise, 
and  spend  ourselves,  and  be  spent,  in  doing  His  will. 
Oh  !  how  utterly  unworthy  I  am  of  all  the  mercies  which 
the  Lord  has  shown  me,  in  this  and  innumerable  other 
things.    Glory,  glory,  glory,  only  unto  Him ! 

"  I  have  been  to  Wanstead  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society." 

"  July  27.  .  .  .  Through  mercy  we  have  had  good  meet- 
ings of  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid,  here  at  Watton,  of  the 
Church  Missionary  at  Hatfield,  and  the  Lord's  Day  Ob- 
servance and  Bible  Society  at  Hertford.  0  Lord,  accept 
each  feeble  attempt  to  serve  Thee.  I  attended  and  spoke 
at  a  large  meeting  in  London  against  the  Dissenters'  Chapel 
or  Socinian  Endowment  Bill,  but  it  has,  alas  !  been  carried 
through  Parliament,  and  is  now  the  law  of  the  land.  The 
Lord  pardon  our  guilty  country.  The  Lord  pardon  my 
own  personal  sins.    O  Jesus,  wash  me  in  Thy  blood. 


236  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


May  I  wash  my  robes,  even  all  my  graces,  gifts,  and  doings, 
and  make  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  I" 

The  absence  of  his  son  at  college,  earlier  in  the  year, 
as  it  was  one  of  the  first  separations  in  the  domestic  circle, 
led  to  some  characteristic  letters  of  affectionate  advice  and 
encouragement. 

January  16. 

My  beloved  Edward.  .  .  . 

.  .  .  Though  you  are  from  home,  you  are  really  present  with 
us  in  spirit.  We  bring  you  before  our  God  in  prayer,  and  before 
each  other  in  our  conversation,  and  we  joy  in  the  thought  that 
you  are  now  in  the  very  scene,  where  all  our  wishes  for  your  fu- 
ture usefulness  may  be  best  promoted.  I  rejoice  in  the  thought 
that  you  are  in  a  circle  of  friends',  who  think  with  us  in  those  all- 
important  things,  in  which  our  real  happiness  is  bound  up.  May 
your  delight  be  only  in  the  excellent  of  the  earth ! 

God  is  beginning  to  teach  us,  by  our  present  separation,  that 
we  belong  to  a  larger  family  ;  that  we  must  not  have  our  hearts 
selfishly  bound  up  in  each  other  only  ;  that  we  must  comprehend 
all  members  of  the  heavenly  family,  and  seek  ever  to  enlarge  that 
happy  number.  0  what  a  glory  this  opens  out  to  us,  that  unites 
all  the  sweetness  and  enjoyment  of  family  love,  with  all  the  in- 
numerable hosts  of  God's  children  in  all  ages,  and  makes  us  one 
with  them  all  !  What  a  joy  to  think  that,  in  the  ministry,  we 
have  the  fullest  opportunity,  and  the  richest  advantages,  for  en- 
larging that  company  !  How  may  it  compensate  for  all  the  dry- 
ness of  mathematical  studies,  to  be  assured  that  it  will  enable  you 
more  accurately  and  justly  to  plead  and  reason  with  the  wisest 
of  the  world,  that  there  is  a  wisdom  beyond  what  they  have  be- 
fore perceived,  and  a  "  way  of  life  above  to  the  wise,"  to  be  infi- 
nitely preferred  to  all  the  ways  of  the  world  !  Go  on,  then,  my 
dear  son,  steadily  in  all  your  studies  ;  and  with  all,  walk  closely 
with  God,  keep  fast  by  Him,  and  He  will  use  you  abundantly  to 
His  glory  here,  and  to  the  good  of  others,  and  secure  for  you,  in 
pursuing  them,  the  highest  happiness  on  earth,  and  hereafter,  the 
prize  of  our  high  calling, 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


LETTERS. 


237 


January  24. 

My  beloved  Son, 
.  .  .  Our  happy  and  united  family  are  now  beginning  to  scat- 
ter, that  we  may  look  more  largely  for  a  fuller  cup  of  blessing  than 
we  could  have  in  each  other.  We  belong  to  the  greater  family, 
in  whose  union  and  communion  we  have  wider  and  fuller  joys 
for  eternity  ;  being,  as  I  trust,  born  from  above.  This  is  our  best 
and  highest  birth,  giving  us  the  nearest  relation  to  God  himself, 
and  to  all  His  own  children  ;  and  bringing  us  into  that  glorious 
family  circle  of  patriarchs,  prophets,  kings,  apostles,  martyrs,  and 
reformers,  who  are  now  waiting  for  their  glory,  till  their  number 
be  complete.  My  best  service,  my  dear  son,  to  you  as  a  father, 
will  be,  if  I  have  in  any  way  helped  to  bring  you  into  that  com- 
pany, and  these  hopes  ;  and  your  greatest  joy,  rendered  to  me,  will 
be  that  I  see  you  preparing  for  that  glory,  and  walking  worthy  of 
that  kingdom.  So  I  have  good  hope  it  will  be,  notwithstand- 
ing all  our  innumerable  defects  and  sins,  through  the  super- 
abounding  love  of  our  heavenly  Parent,  and  our  blessed  Redeemer 
and  Sanctifier. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  same  jealousy  that  spiritual  objects  should  be  kept 
foremost,  amid  the  excitement  of  college  studies  and  liter- 
ary emulation,  marked  all  his  letters.  Before  a  scholar- 
ship examination  he  wrote  to  him — "  Cast  all  care  on  your 
best  Father  and  best  Friend,  who  is  always  near,  always 
loves  us,  and  receives  our  attempts  to  serve  Him  with  con- 
stant acceptance  and  favor.  With  Him  is  the  best  pure 
and  the  full  reward.  ...  0  let  us  walk  close  with  Him, 
and  seek  only  to  please  Him,  or  we  shall  be  drawn  about 
with  every  wind."  After  his  failure  he  wrote  again — "  I 
had  rather  you  had  the  three  prizes  of  faith,  hope,  and 
love,  than  all  the  prizes  that  all  the  universities  of  the 
whole  world  could  confer,  and  I  do  trust  the  Lord  of  all 
will  not  fail  in  giving  them.  Covet  earnestly  the  best 
gifts."  And  when,  a  few  months  later,  his  son  gained  the 
Chancellor's  medal  for  English  verse,  in  a  letter  express- 
ing his  warm  sympathy  with  his  success,  he  was  chiefly 


238  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


anxious  to  impress  on  him  that  all  must  be  kept  strictly 
subordinate  to  the  great  work  of  preparation  for  the  min- 
istry. 

Some  other  letters  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  in  the  course  of 
the  summer,  explain  his  impressions  with  regard  to  the 
state  of  the  Church,  and  the  general  aspect  of  the  cause 
of  Christ.  The  longing  for  brotherly  union  among  pious 
Christians,  amid  the  perilous  delusions  of  the  age,  was 
gathering  strength  in  his  mind.  The  first,  which  here 
follows,  was  written  to  the  Rev.  D.  Brown  of  the  Free 
Church  of  Scotland,  in  reference  to  a  sermon,  bearing  on 
the  subject,  which  he  had  published. 

June  24. 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  took  the  opportunity  of  going  to  town,  to  call  on  ,  and 

left  with  him  the  Sermon,  hringing  before  him  this  sentiment, 
that  we  should  bend  all  our  strength  to  the  forwarding  of  those 
great  things  in  which  Christians  agree,  the  growth  and  extension 
of  spiritual  and  evangelical  religion,  for  the  conversion  and  sal- 
vation of  perishing  souls  all  around  us,  and  through  the  earth.  I 
shall  be  thankful  if  he  takes  up  the  subject,  and  brings  it  before 
Christians.  But  oh,  when  I  look  at  the  state  of  the  Church 
everywhere,  my  heart  sinks  within  me  !  I  fear  that  nothing  but 
uniting  afflictions  and  judgments  will  at  length  give  full  efficacy 
to  our  testimony  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  It  is  out  of  the 
last  tribulation  that  the  great  multitude  comes,  Rev.  vii.  9-14. 
Yet  none  of  our  efforts  shall  be  wholly  thrown  away  :  they  shall 
be  productive  beyond  our  largest  hopes  ;  sowing  in  tears,  we  shall 
reap  in  joy.  I  wish  our  Churches  in  England  were  more  in  the 
penitent,  prayerful  state,  of  the  Free  Churches  of  Scotland.  In 
our  one  head, 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  Bickersteth. 

"Watton  Rectory,  June  25. 

My  dearest  D'Ahbigne, 
I  thank  you  for  your  welcome  note  of  May  28,  and  your  inter- 
esting little  volume  of  "  Rome  and  the  Reformation."  .  .  . 
We  were  delighted  with  Monod,  and  rejoiced  to  welcome  him 


LETTERS. 


239 


as  a  Christian  brother.  I  have  a  great  hope  that  the  real  chil- 
dren of  God  are  more  and  more  coming  together,  and  as  we  do, 
we  shall  be  greater  blessings,  first  to  each  other,  and  then  to  our 
fellow-men.  Popery  and  lawlessness,  with  Infidelity,  are  our  great 
foes.  May  we  have  wisdom  and  grace,  earnestly  to  contend  for 
the  common  faith,  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  I  hope  that 
Puseyism  has  received  some  effectual  checks ;  but  it  has  done, 
and  is  still  doing,  much  injury  to  mere  professors. 

We  deeply  sympathized  with  you  in  your  personal  trials  ;  but 
who  is  largely  used  of  the  Lord  without  such  trials  ?  They  are 
part  of  the  cost  of  being  a  real  blessing  to  others. 

I  was  much  pleased  with  your  address  on  the  one  body  of 
Christ.  Many  are  looking  out  eagerly  for  your  fourth  volume  of 
the  Church  History  of  the  Reformation.  May  you  be  largely 
assisted  from  on  high  in  the  work  !  I  have  been  prefixing  re- 
marks to  translations  of  Gaussen's  Discourses  on  Rome  and  Jeru- 
salem, and  publishing  them  for  the  benefit  of  the  Foreign  Aid 
Society.  I  hope  they  will  do  much  good  in  England.  .  .  .  May 
we  so  labor  for  our  blessed  Master,  Jesus,  that  we  may  rest  in 
fullness  of  joy  at  His  right  hand.  In  our  one  Lord, 
Ever  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
Watton  Rectory,  June  25. 

My  dear  Sir  Culling, 

Right  glad  shall  we  be  to  see  you  in  England  on  your  return, 
and  obtain  some  of  the  benefits  of  your  long  absence  from  home. 
I  thank  you  for  your  interesting  letter.  I  am  most  anxious  about 
the  religious  state  of  the  continent ;  but  geography  has  its  inter- 
est, as  connected  with  the  higher  elements  of  truth. 

I  can  not  but  hope  tbat  one  good  effect  will  arise,  amid  nu- 
merous evils,  from  the  Dissenter's  Chapel  Bill.  It  will  bring  the 
true  children  of  God  of  all  denominations,  who  hold  the  Head, 
more  to  real  unity.  They  will  see  how  few  they  are,  how  weak 
they  are  in  themselves,  and  how  wicked  it  is  for  them  to  fight  for 
minor  things,  instead  of  pressing  the  great  things. 

Not  that  we  must  relinquish  truth.  I  firmly  believe  that  it  is 
a  national  duty  to  establish  and  maintain  true  religion ;  and  that 
writers  like  Vinet,  Wardlaw,  and  others,  are  unscriptural  in  their 
opposition  to  this.    You,  I  fear,  agree  with  them  ;  but  there  are 


240  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


so  many  deeper  truths  on  which  we  are  agreed,  that  I  will  not 
separate  from  my  brethren  in  the  Lord  on  this  ground.  I  believe 
that  the  true  religion  shines  clearly  in  the  word  of  God,  and  that 
all  who  reject  it  or  oppose  it,  do  so  sinfully — but  to  their  own 
Master  they  stand  or  fall ;  and  God  forbid  that  I  should  judge 
my  fellow-servants,  or  say  what  is  the  measure  of  light  necessary 
for  their  salvation. 

I  trust  that  these  things  are  beginning  to  be  more  seen.  The 
contrasted  dangers  of  Popery,  lawlessness,  and  Infidelity,  are  obli- 
ging us  to  take  the  whole  armor  of  God.  And  the  more  truth 
we  get  from  God's  word,  the  more  links  of  union  we  have  with 
each  other  ;  while  all  error  is  dividing  and  separating. 

I  mourn  over  the  state  of  our  country  ;  and  blessed  as  England 
may  be  with  reference  to  other  countries,  there  is  an  indifference 
to  our  privileges,  a  worldliness,  and  high-mindedness,  and  a  disre- 
gard of  the  things  of  Christ,  that  are  most  humbling.  Oh  what 
might  not  England  be,  had  our  rulers  a  zeal  for  God's  truth  and 
His  glory.  .  .  . 

Very  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

On  October  10,  1844,  the  Rev.  Josiah  Pratt  was  called 
to  his  eternal  rest,  and  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  invited  by  the 
family  to  preach  one  of  the  funeral  sermons  for  his  aged 
and  venerated  friend.  Almost  thirty  years  before,  Mr.  Pratt 
had  been  the  means  of  introducing  him  into  that  sacred 
ministry,  and  that  sphere  of  missionary  labor,  in  which 
he  had  since  been  crowned  with  so  large  a  blessing.  They 
had  worked  together,  for  nine  years,  as  Secretaries  of  the 
Church  Missionary  Society,  and  had  been  united  nearly 
as  long  in  the  pastoral  charge  at  Wheler  Chapel.  The 
attachment  thus  formed,  and  which  was  founded  on  their 
common  love  to  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel,  was  ce- 
mented by  their  general  concurrence  and  harmony  of 
judgment,  in  the  practical  questions  that  successively 
arose  in  the  Church  of  Christ.  They  were  alike  strongly 
attached  to  the  doctrine,  the  principles,  and  the  essential 
constitution  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  were  alike 
of  a  catholic  spirit,  in  their  love  and  willing  fellowship  of 


DEATH  OF  THE  REV.  J.  PRATT. 


241 


heart  toward  Christians  of  other  bodies,  who  loved  the 
Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity.  Their  mutual  feelings  at  first 
resembled  those  of  a  beloved  son  and  an  honored  father ; 
and  passed  insensibly,  with  Mr.  Bickersteth's  growing 
years  and  experience,  and  widening  influence,  into  those 
which  endear  an  elder  to  a  younger  brother.  There  was 
perhaps  no  one  to  whose  judgment  Mr.  Bickersteth 
looked  with  more  instinctive  deference.  In  a  letter  to 
the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  in  July  of  this  year,  he  had  ob- 
served— "  Dearest  Mr.  Pratt  is  still  spared  to  us,  though 
getting  feeble.  I  and  Mrs.  Bickersteth  spent  three  or 
four  da}7s  with  him  in  the  beginning  of  Ma}r.  O  the 
beautiful  Christian  simplicity,  humility,  and  love  of  our 
revered  father,  and  his  beloved  wife !"  On  the  other 
hand,  Mr.  Pratt's  letter,  on  Mr.  Bickersteth's  illness  of 
1841,  shows  that  only  the  wisdom  of  a  deeply-experienced 
Christian  withheld  him  from  expressions  of  most  affec- 
tionate admiration  toward  his  beloved  friend.  There 
was,  in  both  of  them,  the  union  of  deep  spirituality  with 
great  practical  energy,  and  a  single  aim  to  glorify  their 
Savior.  Their  occasional  divergence  of  judgment,  which 
was  very  rare,  only  rendered  their  mutual  esteem  more 
striking  and  beautiful.  Mr.  Pratt  paid  his  last  visit  to 
Watton  in  the  summer  of  1843,  and  their  intercourse  at 
that  time  was  marked  by  an  almost  playful  confidence  of 
deep  and  long-tried  friendship.  He  had  never  adopted 
those  views  of  prophecy,  which  gave  so  distinctly  their 
tone  to  Mr.  Bickersteth's  later  writings  and  ministrations ; 
and  the  adoption  of  them  naturally  seemed  to  him  some 
drawback  on  the  usually  sound  judgment,  and  practical 
excellencies,  of  his  beloved  host  and  friend.  In  a  time 
prolific  in  excitement,  he  felt  called  upon  to  be  a  spiritual 
conservative ;  and  could  not  help  expressing,  now  and 
then,  his  affectionate  jealousy,  lest  one  who  was  so  justly 
honored  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  should  either  indulge 
himself,  or  encourage  in  others  an  appetite  for  novel- 
ties, and  thus  indirectly  obscure  the  prominence,  which 
needed  to  be  given,  in  his  view,  more  than  ever,  to  Jesus 

VOL.  II . — L 


242 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Christ,  and  Him  crucified.  These  cautions,  as  they  were 
given,  were  received  and  returned  in  the  spirit  of  love, 
by  one  who  felt  their  real  value,  but  who  was  perhaps 
more  alive  than  his  friend  to  the  danger  on  the  opposite 
side ;  and  who  knew  that,  with  regard  to  Christian  doc- 
trine, as  well  as  Christian  practice,  there  is  no  surer  mark 
of  decay  than  to  think  that  we  have  attained,  or  are  al- 
ready perfect.  Some  allusion  having  once  been  made  by 
Mr.  Bickersteth  to  the  signs  of  the  times,  as  confirming 
his  own  convictions  of  the  near  approach  of  Christ's  sec- 
ond coming, — Mr.  Pratt  turned  to  him,  and  said  very  sig- 
nificantly ;  "I  stand  just  where  I  did."  Mr.  Bickersteth 
answered  at  once,  with  his  joyous  tone  and  beaming 
smile, — "I  hope  that  I  am  getting  on  a  little."  The  play- 
ful repartee  was  full  of  meaning.  If  stability  is  one  char- 
acteristic of  living  faith,  progress  is  another.  It  is  needful 
for  the  Christian,  not  only  to  be  rooted  firmly  against  the 
winds  of  false  doctrine,  but  to  grow  continually  in  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  and  His  word. 

The  text  chosen  for  the  funeral  sermon  was  Josh.  i.  1,  2. 
After  describing  the  character  of  him  who  was  taken 
away,  like  Moses,  in  an  important  crisis  of  the  Church's 
history,  Mr.  Bickersteth  made  the  words  an  occasion  for 
unfolding  the  duties  to  which  the  survivors  were  called 
by  such  a  loss,  in  the  progress  of  the  Church  to  its  better 
and  heavenly  inheritance.  "  I  was  struck,"  he  said, 
"  when  I  visited  our  departed  friend,  and  saw  him  for  the 
last  time,  on  September  23,  with  the  earnestness  with 
which,  in  a  voice  almost  inarticulate,  he  spoke  of  his  own 
feelings,  of  the  duty  of  preaching  Christ  more  earnestly, 
and  laboring  far  more  zealously  than  he  had  ever  done, 
for  Him.  0,  could  he  now  return  from  the  heavenly 
mansions,  how  would  he  return,  with  every  feeling  deep- 
ened, with  every  exhortation  full  of  power,  to  call  British 
Christians  to  use  their  many  advantages  for  the  Lord ! 
Every  thing  calls  us  to  tread  firmly,  and  with  enlarged 
hearts,  in  those  steps  which  our  revered  friend  has  marked 
out  for  us ;  following  confessors  of  the  truth  in  every  age. 


DEATH  OF  THE  11EV.  J.  PRATT. 


243 


To  save  a  soul  from  death — to  bring  a  soul  to  Christ  and 
glory — oh  this  is  worth  living  for,  and  laboring  for,  and 
dying  for !  It  is  the  highest  happiness  to  ourselves.  It 
diffuses  the  highest  happiness  on  earth.  It  makes  us  the 
largest  blessings  to  our  fellow-men.  It  is  preparing  for 
us  the  highest  crown  of  glory  in  the  world  to  come.  The 
issue  of  it  is  glory  unspeakable,  joy  unutterable  !  What 
will  it  be,  what  must  it  be,  when  our  Lord  returns,  to 
hear  him  say  to  us :  '  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful 
servant,  thou  hast  been  faithful  in  a  few  things,  I  will 
make  thee  ruler  over  many  things ;  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  Thy  Lord  !'  " 

The  same  month  deprived  the  writer  of  the  privilege 
he  had  enjoyed  for  more  than  eight  years,  of  daily  inter- 
course with  Mr.  Bickersteth  under  his  own  roof,  by  re- 
moval to  another  sphere  of  duty.  It  was  a  privilege  for 
which  he  can  not  be  too  grateful  to  the  Father  of  mercies. 
Every  year  seemed  only  to"  render  his  society  more  pre- 
cious, and  a  purer  and  deeper  fragrance  of  holy  love 
breathed  around  him,  as  his  spirit  ripened  continually  for 
its  translation  to  the  bosom  of  the  Savior.  There  was,  in 
his  daily  affection,  a  tone  at  once  of  such  mature,  expe- 
rienced thoughtfulness,  and  of  such  frank,  open-hearted 
confidence,  that  it  was  like  the  love  of  a  father,  and  an 
elder  brother,  both  united  in  one.  His  private  journal 
alludes  to  the  change  of  duties,  consequent  on  this  remov- 
al, and  to  other  domestic  incidents,  while  it  shows  the  re- 
flections with  which  the  year  came  to  its  close. 

"  July  27.  I  go  next  week,  if  it  please  God,  to  Claydon 
and  Wendover.  The  seventh  edition  of  the  '  Practical 
Guide,'  is  passing  through  the  press. 

u  August  ^0.  The  Lord  has  blessed  me,  wherever  I 
have  been,  in  His  happy  work  and  service.  I  have  to  be 
thankful  for  mercies  of  this  kind  in  Buckinghamshire  and 
at  Barnet.  O  Lord,  purify  my  heart,  and  raise  my  mind 
to  Thyself. 

"I  have  before  me  lengthened  journeys  from  Septem- 
ber 13  till  October  8,  to  Exeter,  Bristol,  London,  Norwich, 


244  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


and  their  neighborhoods,  for  the  Jews'  Society,  while  Mr. 
Birks  will  preach  a  course  of  parting  sermons  at  Watton. 
He  leaves  me  for  his  new  living  of  Kelshall  in  the  middle 
of  October. 

"  October  26.  God  has  graciously  carried  me  through 
long  journeys  and  important  duties  for  Him,  and  in  plead- 
ing His  cause.  Last  Sunday,  I  was  called  to  preach  Mr. 
Pratt's  funeral  sermon  at  St.  Stephen's,  and  at  Wheler 
Chapel  in  the  evening.  .  .  .  On  Thursday  I  preached  at 
Rugby,  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society.  Blessed  be 
God,  who  calls  me  from  time  to  time  to  special  acts  of  ser- 
vice, and  strengthens  me  for  His  work  !  .  .  . 

"  I  have  now  the  whole  duty  of  the  parish  upon  me, 
which  I  prefer  to  having  a  fellow-laborer,  if  the  Lord 
strengthen  me  for  it,  while  my  son  is  at  College.  I  hope 
that  my  heart  will  thus  be  more  drawn  to  my  work  in  the 
parish. 

"  My  heart  needs  quickening,  and  drawing  near  to  the 
Lord.  It  is  clear  that  changes  are  about  to  take  place, 
materially  affecting  the  Church  of  Christ;  and  oh,  how 
needful  is  it  to  walk  closely  with  God,  in  a  faithful  dis- 
charge of  known,  plain,  and  immediate  duties !  O  Lord, 
make  me  a  blessing  to  my  parish,  that  I  may  not  labor 
here  in  vain,  for  Christ's  sake. 

"November  24.  Very  gracious  have  been  the  Lord's 
dealings  with  me  in  the  past  month.  I  have  been  strength- 
ened for  my  duties  in  the  parish,  and  have  found,  I  trust, 
increasing  comfort  in  my  work.  I  have  commonly  ten 
public  services  in  the  week ;  four  on  the  Sunday ; — the 
Bible  class  at  ten — morning  and  afternoon  service — and 
evening  lecture ;  a  school  lecture  on  Monday,  Bilton's 
Cottage  on  Tuesday,  Wempstead  and  the  school-room  on 
Wednesday,  Bishop's  Cottage  on  Friday,  and  the  Prayer 
Meeting  on  Saturday.  0  that  in  each  of  them  there 
might  be  tokens,  that  the  Lord  is  giving  testimony  to  the 
word  of  His  grace ! 

"  I  have  this  week  been  to  London  for  the  prophetical 
meetings,  and  have  found  them  very  profitable  and  edify- 


close  of  184-i.  245 

ing.  0  that  I  may  be  grateful,  and  improve  all  the  means 
and  blessings  which  the  Lord  so  graciously  provides ! 

"Yet  I  rind  these  London  journeys  very  distracting,  as 
it  regards  home  duties,  and  I  must  now  be  as  little  as  may 
be  away  from  my  parish,  since  I  can  not  be  so  without  loss 
to  my  flock.  O  for  closer  communion  with  God  in  all  His 
work ! 

11  December  31.  This  has  been  a  year  of  very  many 
spiritual  mercies  and  blessings  to  me  and  to  my  family. 
How  good  has  the  Lord  been  to  me  in  scenes  of  public 
usefulness,  in  my  journeys  to  Scotland,  to  Devonshire,  and 
to  Clifton,  and  in  my  publications.  All  glory  be  to  His 
name ! 

"  0  that  there  may  be  a  closer  walk  with  Him !  My 
heart  breathes  after  His  image  and  likeness.  My  soul 
longs  to  be  sealed  with  the  Father's  name  in  my  forehead. 
The  likeness  of  Jesus  is  indeed  a  prize  above  all  value.  O 
Lord,  give  me  this !  Then  only  shall  I  be  satisfied,  when 
I  awake  up  after  Thy  likeness ! 

"  I  desire  also  especially  to  record  my  gratitude  to  God, 
that  I  have  been  strengthened  in  body  for  my  duties, 
without  a  curate.  It  gives  me  a  more  direct  interest  in 
my  flock,  and  enables  me  to  continue  charities  which 
otherwise  I  must  have  restrained." 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


THE  ENDOWMENT  OF  MAYNOOTH — COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE 
EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 

A.  D.  1845. 

Toward  the  close  of  1844  Mr.  Bickersteth's  friend  and 
late  parishioner,  General  Marshall,  whose  hospitality  he 
had  repeatedly  enjoyed  at  Brighton  and  at  Clifton,  was 
seized  with  a  dangerous  illness,  which,  in  the  course  of 
half  a  year,  carried  him  to  the  grave.  On  April  2,  Mr.  B. 
preached  his  funeral  sermon,  from  Rev.  xiv.  13.  The  notes 
written  to  him  during  this  illness  are  specimens  of  his 
ChristiaD  sympathy  in  a  time  of  sorrow. 

Watton  Rectory,  Sept.  9,  1844. 

My  dear  General, 
How  we  grieve  over  your  illness !  but  it  is  of  the  Lord — the 
God  of  light  and  of  love ;  and  we  shall  not  cease  to  pray  that  all 
may  be  sanctified.  I  am  so  glad  that  my  dear  wife  suggested  not 
taking  the  children  with  us.  It  is  really  good  for  them,  dears,  not 
to  find  that  all  their  wishes  can  be  gratified  ;  and  it  would  have 
been  a  great  grief  to  us,  to  have  them  adding  to  your  family  cares 
at  such  a  time. 

Oh,  how  every  thing  tells  us — This  is  not  your  rest !  And 
blessed  be  God,  how  all  His  word  tells  us — "  I  will  give  you 
rest!"  "  Come  unto  me."  Look  at  the  freedom — give ;  look  at 
the  certainty — I  will;  look  at  the  personal  application — you. 
And,  dear  friends,  the  Lord  himself  shower  the  blessing  richly  upon 
you !  You  have  comforted  many,  many  hearts  with  your  love. 
May  the  Lord  now  comfort  you  with  His  love. 

Ever  gratefully  and  affectionately  yours, 

E.  Bickersteth. 


LETTERS. 


247 


Norwich,  Oct.  6. 

I  must  write,  on  hearing  the  sad  tidings  of  your  being  worse. 
We  can  not  but  suffer  with  you,  for  we  are  members  of  one 
body.  I  have  three  sermons  to  preach  to-day ;  but  my  heart 
flies  again  and  again  to  Clifton,  and  then  upward  to  our  heav- 
enly Father,  to  be  graciously  present  with  you  ;  if  it  be  His  will, 
to  remove  the  disease  ;  and  especially  to  grant  that,  while  the 
outward  man  decays,  the  inward  man  may  be  renewed  day  by 
day.  0  what  a  sweet  hope  is  added  !  "  Our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  out  for  us  a  far  more  ex- 
ceeding and  eternal  weight  of  glory,"  while  we  are  looking  at 
unseen  and  eternal  things.  Christ,  Christ  only,  is  our  sole  foun- 
dation. He  will  be  with  us  through  the  valley.  He  will  receive 
us,  when  it  is  passed  through.  He  will  present  us  faultless  to 
the  Father.  His  blood,  His  righteousness,  His  Spirit,  His  image 
— these  are  the  glorious  dress  which  He  gives.  Let  us  day  by 
day  put  on  Christ ;  so  shall  we  be  found  clothed  with  the  gar- 
ments of  salvation. 

These  are  our  common  hopes,  my  beloved  friends,  which  in- 
finitely out-balance  all  the  sufferings  of  this  life.  0  may  Jesus 
be  very  precious  to  you  now  !  And  dear,  dear  Mrs.  M.,  the  Lord 
greatly  strengthen  her  for  all  that  He  calls  her  to,  and  be  her 
constant  refuge  and  support.  "  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong 
tower  ;  the  righteous  runneth  into  it,  and  is  safe."  He  gave  us 
all  to  each  other  ;  and  if  He  separates  us,  it  is  but  to  restore  us, 
more  perfect  than  ever.  I  have  rejoiced  in  seeing  His  work 
advancing  in  your  souls,  each  time  I  have  been  with  you  ;  but  0 
how  advanced  will  it  be,  when  we  wake  up  after  His  likeness, 
and  meet  in  the  heavenly  kingdom,  pure  as  He  is  pure,  and  see 
Him  as  He  is  ! 

The  Lord  bless  you  and  keep  you  !    The  Lord  make  His  face 
to  shine  upon  you,  and  be  gracious  unto  you  !    The  Lord  lift  up 
His  countenance  upon  you,  and  give  you  peace,  prays 
Your  very  affectionate  pastor  and  friend, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  November  8. 

Thanks  be  to  God  for  all  His  love  to  you.  The  two  last  letters 
have  been  quite  refreshing. 

I  am  very  busy  now  in  my  parish,  and  God  is  giving  me  com- 


248  MEMOIR  OF  EDWAKD  BICKEKSTETH. 


fort.  Two  are  dying — a  child  about  ten  who  has  just  told  me, 
"  I  am  so  ill,  I  do  not  know  what  to  do."  I  told  him,  "  But 
Jesus  knows  what  to  do  for  you,  and  He  will  do  it."  He  replied, 
"  Oh  yes,  He  is  all  my  trust,  He  is  my  shield  and  my  strength." 
I  went  from  him  to  old  Farrer,  who  is  dying,  and  he  said,  "  Jesus 
is  my  rock  and  my  salvation."  The  old  and  the  young  disciples 
have  one  voice  for  our  precious  Savior.  His  name  be  glorified 
forever  !  God  bless  you  both,  my  dear  friends,  and  perfect  that 
which  concerneth  you,  prays, 

Your  ever  affectionate, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  December  20. 

My  conscience  has  just  been  saying  to  me — do  not  forget  your 
beloved  friends  in  Harley  Place,  in  a  letter,  as  well  as  in  prayer ; 
and  I  seize  pen  and  paper,  to  silence  that  all-important  and  pre- 
cious monitor,  so  good  a  friend  if  we  yield  to  his  monitions,  and  so 
sad  a  foe  if  we  neglect  them. 

0,  my  dearest  friend,  what  a  precious  Savior  is  our  blessed 
Jesus.  Amid  the  shaking  of  every  thing  here,  we  seem  driven 
by  every  thing  to  cling  closer  and  closer  to  Him.  You  have  had 
an  afflicting  disease,  to  draw  you  near  to  Him ;  and  we  have 
changes,  and  agitating  fires,*  and  such  fearful  movements  as  we 
see  in  Exeter  diocese  and  elsewhere,  to  send  us  to  Jesus.  But 
He  is  carrying  on  His  own  work  in  the  midst  of  all.  .  .  . 

The  Church  Extension  Fund  is  a  noble  plan.  What  a  mag- 
nificent seed-time  God  is  giving  to  His  Church,  in  the  midst  of  all 
these  confusions,  and  what  a  glorious  harvest  is  before  His  faith- 
ful people  ! 

Our  hearts  are  always  with  you  both.  We  know  you  love  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  this  eternal  bond  unites  us  forever. 

February  24. 

My  beloved  General  Marshall, 
Our  hearts  are  with  you,  and  often  lifted  up  to  God,  in  all  your 
trials  and  sufferings.    They  are  perfecting  the  vessel  of  mercy,  to 
be  a  vessel  of  glory ;  to  purify  all  the  dross  away,  and  make  you 

*  An  incendiary  fire  had  taken  place,  a  few  days  before,  in  Watton 
parish,  in  which  many  ricks  of  corn  were  destroyed,  and  the  dwelling-house 
narrowly  escaped  the  flames. 


EETTEKS. 


249 


quite  meet  for  the  Master's  use.  I  had  hoped  that  the  Lord  would 
yet  have  raised  you  up  for  more  service  here  on  earth  ;  but  should 
this  not  be  so,  should  He  want  you  now  to  swell  the  choir  in  the 
heavenly  kingdom,  His  holy  will  he  done  !  0  what  thanks  we 
owe  to  Him,  that  He  revealed  to  us  Christ,  and  His  free  and  full 
salvation,  and  led  us  to  trust  in  Him  only,  to  glory  in  Him  only, 
and  to  be  open  and  decided  in  testifying  of  Him ! 

I  was  preaching  yesterday  on  the  words — "  They  washed  their 
robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  hlood  of  the  Lamh."  It  is 
different  from  the  other — "  He  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His 
own  blood."  But  we  need  also  the  same  blood,  that  our  robes, 
every  grace  and  service,  faith,  hope,  love,  prayer,  alms,  kindness 
to  others,  &c,  may  also  be  perfectly  cleansed  ;  and  then  there  is 
joined  with  it,  "great  tribulation."  0  how  sweetly  will  you 
sing  that  song,  when  you  see  our  blessed  Jesus,  and  cast  yourself 
at  His  feet,  and  He  welcomes  you  into  His  kingdom  ! 

You  have  been  a  great  help  and  comfort  to  me,  my  dear  friend, 
both  in  my  ministry  and  in  my  family  ;  and  how  glad  shall  I  be, 
if  I  can  speak  a  word  of  comfort  to  you.  God  Almighty  bless  you 
both.  Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  following  was  written  to  Mrs.  Marshall  on  the  first 
tidings  of  her  husband's  removal. 

March  27. 

My  beloved  Friend, 

Our  hearts  sank,  as  we  read  your  deeply-affecting  note.  The 
will  of  the  Lord  be  done  ! 

Any  thing  I  can  do  for  His  blessed  character,  and  for  your 
comfort,  is  entirely  at  your  command,  as  to  the  funeral  or  the 
sermon.  .  .  .  We  must  think  how  we  can  make  so  great  a  loss 
to  us  a  real  blessing  to  the  Church  below,  as  it  is  a  joy  to  the 
Church  above.  Though  we  must  give  all  the  glory,  from  first  to 
last,  to  the  Lord,  so  upright,  and  faithful,  and  open,  and  bold  a 
confessor  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  an  example  that  must 
be  held  out  in  these  days  of  trimming  and  time-serving.  The 
Lord  enable  me,  and  direct  me,  so  that  many  may  be  quickened 
by  his  course. 

And  now,  my  dear  friend,  be  not  cast  down.  Do  not  sorrow 
as  those  who  have  no  hope !    The  time  is  very,  very  short,  even 

L* 


250 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


for  you  who  are  so  much  younger,  as  well  as  for  us  who  are  elder  ; 
but  our  Master  will  use  us  a  little  longer  ;  and  we  shall  have  more 
of  a  pilgrim,  devoted  spirit,  I  trust,  while  that  time  is  continued  ; 
and  then — oh  what  a  meeting,  what  a  glory  forever  !  Comfort 
yourselves  with  this  hope.  He  is  with  Christ,  which  is  far  bet- 
ter, ever  happy  in  the  presence  of  Him,  whom  we  all  love  the 
most — loving  even  each  other  for  Jesus'  sake ;  and  soon  we  shall 
join  the  blessed  company. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  return  of  his  birth-day  led  to  the  following  reflec- 
tions, in  his  journal,  on  his  own  duties,  and  the  state  of 
the  Church  at  large. 

"  I  this  day  complete  fifty-nine  years  of  my  life.  Glory 
be  to  God  for  fifty-nine  years  full  of  mercies.  Shame  and 
humiliation  to  me,  for  fifty-nine  years  full  of  defects,  infir- 
mities, and  sins. 

"  I  find  my  work  continually  increasing,  and  am  obliged 
to  decline  many  things  that  daily  come  before  me.  But 
it  is  a  day  in  which  much  may  be  done  for  the  Lord. 
May  my  time  be  more  and  more  redeemed  for  Him !  I 
have  completed  '  The  Signs  of  the  Times  in  the  East,  a 
Warning  to  the  West, '  and  a  new  edition  of  the  '  Prom- 
ised Glory'  is  now  in  the  press. 

"  The  state  of  the  country  occasions  anxious  thoughts. 
The  present  Government  seems  set  on  bringing  in  meas- 
ures falsely  called  liberal,  really  infidel,  for  giving  politi- 
cal power  to  the  Jews,  and  support  to  the  teachers  of  Po- 
pery. The  dispensation  of  grace  to  the  Gentiles  seems  fast 
closing,  and  the  Jewish  restoration  at  hand.  At  least  the 
signs  of  the  times  are  such  as  may  well  increase  our  watch- 
fulness. 

"  But  oh  that  I  may  not,  in  public  duties,  lose  sight  of 
that  which  infinitely  concerns  me,  seeking  the  glory  of 
God  in  every  thing,  and  to  approve  myself  in  His  sight 
in  all  my  thoughts,  and  words,  and  works. 

"  Easter  Day  being  earlier  than  usual,  my  birth-day 
falls  in  Passion-Week.    May  the  sacred  season  be  very 


THE  COMMUNION. 


251 


quickening  to  every  resolution  to  love  and  serve  the 
Lord. 

"  0  Lord,  direct  my  soul  in  all  its  plans  and  purposes, 
that  in  the  important  subjects  which  come  before  me,  I 
may  ever  be  guided  to  that  course,  which  will  be  accord- 
ing to  Thy  word,  and  at  the  last  approved  by  Thee  !" 

"  March  22.  I  desire  to  go  to  the  Lord's  table  in  a  hum- 
ble and  contrite  spirit,  with  a  believing  and  devoted  heart, 
and  in  full  purpose  of  soul  to  walk  more  consistently 
hereafter,  as  a  Christian  minister.  Many  things  are  needed 
for  this. 

"In  private — a  far  deeper  meditation  daily  on  God's 
word — a  much  more  close  walking  with  God  through  the 
day — a  greatly  enlarged  pouring  out  of  the  heart  to  God 
in  prayer  (many  things  that  ought  to  be  brought  before 
God  in  prayer  are  hardly  ever  mentioned) — a  habit  of 
self-denial  and  self-sacrifice. 

"  For  my  family — a  more  diligent  seeking  of  the  im- 
provement and  profit  of  all — a  more  constant  remem- 
brance of  each  in  private  prayer. 

"  For  my  friends,  especially  my  relatives — to  think  of 
them  more  in  intercessory  prayer. 

"  For  my  parish — the  searching  out  of  sheep  that 
wander  altogether — the  more  diligent  noting  of  their  ac- 
tual state — greatly  enlarged  visiting  of  them  in  their  own 
houses — the  habit  of  speaking  to  them  about  their  souls. 

"  For  my  god-children — to  remember  them  more  before 
the  throne  of  grace. 

"For  my  church  and  country.  To  do  what  I  can  to 
maintain  truth,  and  bear  witness  against  error,  and  to  save 
the  souls  of  others,  as  well  as  to  show  mercy  to  the  poor 
and  afflicted. 

"  For  Christendom — gladly  to  help  efforts  for  the  salva- 
tion of  Papists,  the  revival  of  Protestant  Churches,  and  to 
prepare  all  for  the  day  of  Christ. 

"  For  Jews,  Mohammedans,  and  Heathen — oh  how  much 
is  yet  to  be  done  I 

"  0  Lord,  help  me  to  walk  in  every  good  word  and 


252 


.MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


work  according  to  the  wonderful  preparation  which  Thou 
hast  made  in  Thy  providence,  that  Thy  name  may  be  glo- 
rified in  me  and  by  me. 

" April  18.  'The  Signs  of  the  Times,'  my  eighteenth 
volume,  is  now  published.  0  that  the  Lord  may-  use  it  to 
His  glory,  and  the  promotion  of  His  truth,  and  mercifully 
grant  that  I  may  ever  practice,  myself,  what  I  strive  to 
teach  others. 

"  At  this  time  the  Parliament  in  the  Commons  are  de- 
bating on  the  increased  grant  to  Maynooth.  The  Lord 
himself  frustrate  this  iniquitous  attempt  to  support  the 
training  up  of  the  teachers  of  papal  idolatry." 

The  Maynooth  Bill,  to  which  allusion  is  here  made, 
awoke  in  Mr.  Bickersteth  a  deep  and  mingled  feeling  of 
grief  and  indignation.  Accustomed  to  look  on  Popery  as 
a  fearful  apostasy,  clearly  predicted  in  the  word  of  God, 
believing  it  as  clearly  idolatrous  in  principle  and  prac- 
tice as  heathenism  itself,  and  to  be  so  pronounced  by  the 
very  Church  which  the  State  continued  to  recognize,  he 
felt  the  measure  to  be  an  enormous  national  sin,  and  a 
direct  provocation  to  the  God  of  truth  and  holiness,  by 
whose  favor  alone  Britain  had  been  so  highly  exalted 
among  the  nations.  His  grief  was  especially  stirred,  that 
any  of  those  whom  he  loved  or  esteemed  in  private,  for 
their  personal  piety,  should,  take  part  in  a  measure  which 
he  viewed  with  a  just  and  deep  abhorrence.  The  follow- 
ing letters,  two  of  them  written  to  an  opponent,  and  one 
to  a  supporter  of  the  Bill  in  Parliament,  explain  his  prin- 
ciples and  feelings ;  and  present  events  are  throwing  new 
light  on  the  justice  of  the  views,  which  he,  along  with 
many  others,  then  maintained. 

March  10. 

My  dear  , 

You  would  probably  perceive  by  the  papers  that  I  have  felt  it 
right  to  testify  puhlicly  against  the  grant  to  Maynooth.  The 
more  I  consider  the  subject,  the  more  fearful  a  measure  it  seems 
to  me  really  to  he.  .  .  .  But  I  know  the  peculiar  temptations 
of  benevolent  minds  like  yours,  and  Wilberforce's,  and  Buxton's  ; 


THE  MAYNOOTH  BILL. 


253 


that  you  instinctively  shrink  from  the  severity  of  doing  what 
seems  harsh,  though  it  may  be  real  mercy  to  Romanists  as  well  as 
Protestants. 

We  have  no  support  here  from  foreign  countries.  They  have 
preceded  us  in  these  infidel  measures.  England  has  stood  alone 
iu  principle,  and  therefore  alone  in  blessedness  and  glory — not 
sending  forth  from  the  same  fountain  sweet  water  and  bitter. 
Our  only  support  is  the  sure  word  of  God,  which  clearly  describes 
Rome,  and  threatens  judgment  to  all  who  partake  of  her  sins. 

If  government  is  too  blind  to  discern  between  truth  and  error, 
at  any  rate  there  would  be  some  consistency  in  supporting  nei- 
ther :  but  there  is  both  infidelity  and  folly  in  supporting  both. 
Protestants  are  awaking  to  it,  and  will  be  indignant,  and  grieved 
to  the  heart,  at  such  a  dishonor  put  upon  God  and  His  truth. 

True  it  is,  the  political  difficulties  of  Ireland  are  great,  and  this 
through  our  sins,  and  the  grant  to  Maynooth  among  those  very 
sins.  But  if  God  have  given  us  power  over  Ireland,  as  unquestion- 
ably He  has,  what  an  affront  to  Him  to  use  that  power  in  pay- 
ing to  train  up  teachers  of  idolatry  !  Shall  we  do  the  like  in 
India  with  Mohammedans  and  Hindoos,  and  pay  teachers  of  the 
Koran  and  priests  of  Juggernaut  ?  Power  is  a  trust,  to  be  used 
for  God,  and  not  against  Him. 

I  see,  as  clearly  as  can  be,  the  harlot  mounting  the  beast,  be- 
fore she  is  drunk  with  the  blood  of  the  saints  ;  and  as  a  patriot, 
as  a  Christian,  and  as  a  minister  of  our  Reformed  Church,  I 
would  lift  up  a  voice,  humble  and  feeble  as  it  be,  against  it. 

r 

April  12. 

My  dear  , 

I  venture  to  write  to  you  again,  after  reading  Peel's,  Glad- 
stone's, and  Roebuck's  speeches.  Peel's  is  worldly  conservatism, 
Gladstone's  is  superstitious  Romanism,  Roebuck's  infidel  liberal- 
ism— the  three  unclean  spirits  of  this  day  (Rev.  xvi.  13),  all 
perfectly  opposed  to  the  word  of  God,  which  abides  forever. 

Gladstone  denies  that  Protestantism  is  any  thing  more  than  a 
negative  term,  as  knowing  and  feeling  nothing  of  its  life-giving 
doctrines,  common  to  all  the  Reformers  ;  and  so  defames  that 
which  God  accounts  in  His  word  (Rev.  x.)  an  unspeakable 
blessing. 

He  insists  that  we  should  look  upon  it  in  the  way  in  which  the 


254 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Irish  Papists  must  regard  it — that  is,  we  must  give  up  our  truth 
to  adopt  their  error.  His  speech  is  more  revolting  than  even  Sir 
R.  Peel's.  He  professes  to  look  for  principles,  and  has  not  one 
scriptural  principle  to  stand  upon. 

Roebuck  thinks  it  requires  omniscience  to  know  what  truth  is. 
Was  there  ever  such  a  Pilate-like  state  of  mind  ? 

The  real  strength  of  the  case  seems  to  me  very  simple.  God 
says,  "  Thou  shalt  not  bow  down  to  an  image."  The  Papists 
bow  down  to  images.  The  Q,ueen  is  made  by  the  legislature  to 
say,  "  This  is  superstitious  and  idolatrous."  The  same  authority 
now  proposes  to  educate  persons,  who  shall  teach  what  the  Q,ueen 
then  declared  to  be  superstitious  and  idolatrous,  at  the  expense  of 
the  country.  It  is  a  monstrous  infatuation,  apart  even  from  the 
testimony  of  Scripture  against  this  corruption  of  Christianity. 

It  is  more  than  ever  the  turn  of  England's  future  history.  We 
are  Christians,  but  we  are  patriots.  We  love  our  country  and 
our  families.  Now  is  the  special  opportunity  to  be  faithful  to 
God  our  Savior,  and  to  our  fellow-men,  and  to  save  ourselves,  and 
those  that  hear  us.  ... 

I  write  in  the  fullness  of  my  heart,  hoping  that  God  may 
strengthen  you  to  stand  up  for  His  truth  where  it  is  so  little  re- 
garded. 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BiCKERSTETH. 

MY  DEAR   ,  April  11. 

Your  letter  gave  me  pleasure,  as  opening  the  grounds  on  which 
conscientious  minds  may  concur  in  such  a  grant.  Thankful 
should  I  be,  if  1  could  show  you  as  clearly,  as  I  think  I  see  my- 
self, the  insufficiency  of  those  grounds  for  such  a  course. 

Government  is  a  real  trust  from  Almighty  God,  for  the  good 
of  the  governed.  They  are  appointed  of  Him  for  this  end,  the 
punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well. 
(Rom.  xhi.  1  Pet.  ii.  13-15.)  The  principle  which  is  to  guide 
their  conduct  is  clearly  laid  down.  (Ps.  ci.)  The  administration 
is  to  be  paternal. 

Now  it  will  not  do  for  a  child,  who  wishes  for  that  which  is 
evil,  to  receive  from  his  father  support  in  doing  evil.  The  father, 
however  much  the  son  may  wish  it,  must  not  help  in  giving  him 
tutors,  either  to  teach  him  to  steal,  or  to  bow  clown  to  an  image. 


THE  MAYNOOTH  BILL. 


255 


His  duty  is  of  an  opposite  kind.  True,  the  son  may  help  in 
earning  the  income  that  maintains  the  family  ;  but  while  the 
father  has  his  authority  from  God,  he  must  use  it  according  to  the 
will  of  (rod. 

All  revenue  is  really  the  Lord's — the  earth  and  the  fullness 
thereof — and  governors,  as  well  as  the  governed,  are  accountable 
to  Him  for  every  part.  ...  I  quite  agree  with  you  that  mere 
penal  enactments  will  only  do  mischief,  when  tried  as  they  were, 
alone.  The  children  of  God,  not  the  government,  have  been 
roused  in  the  last  twenty  years  to  Christian  exertion,  in  setting 
the  truth  plainly  and  affectionately  before  the  people  of  Ireland 
in  their  own  tongue  ;  and  God  has  blessed  their  efforts,  notwith- 
standing all  the  counteracting  influence  of  government  favor  to 
Papists,  and  withdrawal  of  favor  from  Protestants.  But  the  efforts 
to  quiet  Ireland  have  utterly  failed,  as  the  present  measure  abun- 
dantly shows.  It  will  have  the  dreadful  issue  of  implicating 
Britain  in  the  idolatry  of  Rome,  and  of  teaching  Romanists  that 
there  is  no  danger  in  their  religion.  God  preserve  you  from 
sanctioning  that  apostasy  which  you  abhor. 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

About  two  months  later,  the  entry  is  found  in  his  jour- 
nal— "The  Lords  have  just  passed  the  second  reading  of 
the  Maynooth  Endowment  Bill  by  a  large  majority — the 
most  painful  public  measure  that  the  Legislature  of  this 
country  have  passed  within  my  recollection.  My  heart 
sinks  to  the  dust  for  my  beloved  country.  The  Lord  give 
us  true  repentance."  A  little  earlier  he  had  written  in  a 
private  letter  :  "  O  what  an  amount  of  false  principle  this 
Bill  has  disclosed !  I  fear  it  will  be  carried ;  but  the  worst 
thing  is  the  disclosure  of  inward  faithlessness  to  Christ 
and  His  truth." 

Amid  the  deep  anxiety  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  occasioned 
by  the  dangers  of  his  country,  and  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
and  the  ceaseless  pressure  of  his  correspondence  and  other 
public  duties,  he  was  still  surrounded  by  an  atmosphere 
of  peace  and  love  in  his  own  quiet  home.  The  constant 
flow  of  affection,  from  a  husband  and  a  father  so  justly 


256 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


beloved,  and  returned  by  those  who  felt  the  greatness  of 
their  privilege ;  the  frequent  resort  to  him,  for  advice  or 
comfort,  of  so  many  Christian  friends ;  the  full  tide  of 
daily  correspondence,  embracing  subjects  of  the  most 
various  interest,  and  the  unbroken  harmony  of  an  united 
family,  had  rendered  Watton  Rectory  one  of  the  most 
sunny  spots  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  The  influence  which 
he  had  exercised  at  home,  began  to  be  now  diffused  over 
a  wider  domestic  circle.  His  son  was  already  in  the  second 
year  of  his  course  at  the  University ;  and  this  summer 
witnessed  the  first  marriage  among  his  children.  The 
frequent  visits,  also,  of  his  many  nephews  and  nieces,  who 
were  dispersing  from  their  homes,  to  prepare  for  new 
duties,  and  occupy  posts  of  influence,  or  to  become  the 
heads  of  new  families,  and  who  all  looked  up  to  their 
uncle  Edward  with  peculiar  affection  and  reverence,  gave 
to  his  domestic  life,  from  this  time,  an  almost  patriarchal 
character.  His  journal  of  this  summer,  while  it  alludes  to 
the  changes  in  his  family,  records  his  own  personal  and 
deepening  experience  of  the  Divine  goodness. 

"  May  11 —  Whitsunday.  I  have  been  spending  a  busy 
week  in  London  at  the  great  May  Anniversaries.*  The 
Lord  pardon  every  thing  said  and  done,  not  according  to 
His  word ;  and  accept  my  poor,  feeble  attempts  to  speak 
for  Him  and  His  truth,  amid  all  the  mingling  of  my  own 
grievous  infirmities  and  sins.  Jesus  is  all  my  confidence, 
hope,  and  glory,  now  and  forever." 

"  June  28.  This  last  month  has  been  one  of  very  spe- 
cial mercy  and  loving-kindness  from  our  God. 

"  I  have  seen  my  eldest  daughter  married  to  my  beloved 
friend,  Mr.  Birks,  and  they  have  had  a  journey,  full  of 
mercies,  to  the  north. 

"  My  weakest  daughter,  F.,  has  had  a  much  better  state 
of  health,  and  all  my  other  children  are  well.  My  son 
has  again  got  the  Chancellor's  medal  for  the  best  prize 
poem. 

"  And  what  I  count  a  special  mercy,  I  have  had  some 

*  He  preached  this  year  for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society. 


DESIRES  FOR  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


257 


sweet  seasons  of  melting  of  heart  before  God,  and  refresh- 
ing views  of  His  grace  and  loving-kindness. 

"  There  have  been  many  deaths  in  my  parish,  and 
several  of  them  have  been  attended  with  real  comfort,  in 
the  sweet  hope  that  they  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  May  the 
season  be  blessed  to  my  people. 

"  0  that  the  Lord  may  graciously  open  doors  for  the 
union  of  His  people,  who  love  Him,  and  for  their  separa- 
tion from  the  world  that  lies  in  wickedness ! 

"  I  think  I  find  the  advantage  of  having  the  parish 
entirely  upon  me,  in  giving  me  a  deeper  interest  in  it,  as 
the  primary  work,  and  chief  object  of  my  daily  labors. 
O  Lord,  give  me  more  wisdom,  faithfulness,  earnestness, 
and  love,  in  dealing  with  all  classes  for  their  eternal  wel- 
fare ! 

"  July  26.  This  month  has  again  been  full  of  mercies, 
as  is  each  day  of  my  life.  Oh,  how  great  a  debtor  I  am  to 
Divine  grace ! 

"  We  have  had  very  good  meetings  for  the  Church 
Pastoral  Aid  and  Bible  Societies.  Thanks  be  to  God  for 
permitting  ns  to  labor  in  these  works  of  love.  I  have  also 
been  to  Cheshunt  and  Hatfield  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society. 

"  I  have  begun  some  letters  on  Christian  Union,  to  be 
inserted  in  the  Kecord.    The  Lord  guide  and  prosper  me. 

"  But  I  fear  that  my  soul  is  not  in  so  lively  a  state  this 
month,  as  the  one  before.  What  a  poor,  fluctuating  crea- 
ture I  am !  Lord,  revive  Thy  work,  and  never  leave  me 
to  myself. 

"  August  30.  The  letters  on  '  Union'  are  published, 
and  will,  I  trust,  have  a  wide  circulation. 

"  I  am  going  with  my  whole  family  to  Sandgate,  God 
willing,  on  Tuesday,  for  a  month,  to  exchange  duties  and 
houses  with  my  friend  Mr.  Green.  May  it  be  much  bless- 
ed to  both  our  families,  and  both  our  flocks ! 

"  I  visited  the  Southboro'  Church  Missionary  Associa- 
tion, preaching  for  the  Society,  and  attended  the  Barnet 
Jews'  Meeting. 


258  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  God  is  graciously  sending  us  a  good  harvest,  after  a 
season  of  much  anxiety.  May  His  goodness  to  our  nation 
lead  us  to  repentance!" 

The  letters,  to  which  allusion  is  here  made,  were  one 
public  expression,  among  many,  of  that  longing  for  closer 
union  among  the  children  of  God,  which  had  been  awaken- 
ed at  this  time  in  the  hearts  of  Christians,  and  which  led, 
in  this  and  the  following  year,  to  the  formation  of  the 
Evangelical  Alliance.  The  object  itself  was  eminently 
dear  to  Mr.  Bickersteth's  heart.  His  intimate  connection 
with  the  Alliance,  both  in  its  origin  and  its  progress,  and 
the  large  place  which  it  occupied  in  his  private  thoughts 
and  public  labors,  render  a  brief  account  of  it  indispen- 
sable in  his  biography. 

There  were  two  main  causes,  which  led  to  this  important 
movement,  and  seemed  to  justify  and  require  some  effort 
of  the  kind,  to  heal  the  breaches  of  the  visible  Church, 
and  bring  Christians  into  nearer  union  with  each  other. 
The  first  of  these  was  the  growing  conviction,  in  the 
minds  of  sincere  Christians,  belonging  to  different  bodies, 
that  their  real  union  of  heart  and  judgment  was  far 
greater  than  the  outward  appearance.  It  was,  however, 
almost  entirely  hidden  from  the  eyes  of  the  world,  by  the 
variety  and  frequent  bitterness  of  ecclesiastical  controver- 
sies. The  evil  thus  arising  was  great  and  notorious,  and 
had  a  most  pernicious  effect  in  weakening  the  hands  of 
Christians,  and  hindering  the  spread  of  the  gospel.  It 
seemed,  then,  a  duty  to  meet  this  public  evil  by  some 
public  remedy.  There  was  also  another  powerful  motive 
for  such  efforts,  in  the  progress  of  Popery.  The  recent 
passing  of  the  Maynooth  Bill,  in  spite  of  strenuous  oppo- 
sition from  such  multitudes  of  British  Christians,  had 
rendered  this  danger  more  apparent  than  ever,  and  proved, 
in  a  striking  manner,  how  the  divisions  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  had  weakened  its  moral  influence,  and  were  imper- 
iling the  cause  of  truth  in  our  own  country,  and  in  every 
part  of  the  world. 

Several  steps  had  been  taken  previously,  which  tended 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


259 


to  this  fuller  union.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned 
Mr.  Stewart's  annual  invitation,  for  many  years,  to  united 
prayer  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  an  Address 
of  Mr.  James,  in  1842,  to  the  Congregational  Union,  the 
appointment  of  a  Committee  by  the  Scotch  Church  in  the 
same  year,  for  brotherly  intercourse  with  other  bodies,* 
— the  public  meeting  in  London,  June,  1843,  in  further- 
ance of  the  same  object,  an  Address  from  brethren  in 
Switzerland,  and  another  from  Dr.  Patten  of  New  York, 
who  urged  the  duty  of  a  general  conference  in  London, 
with  a  view  to  mitigate  the  dissensions,  and  if  possible, 
to  repair  the  breaches,  of  the  Churches  of  Christ.  But 
the  more  immediate  occasion  of  the  Alliance  was  the 
united  opposition  of  British  Protestants  to  the  Maynooth 
Bill,  in  the  spring  of  this  year.  The  intercourse  of  those, 
who  were  brought  together  by  their  common  efforts  to 
avert  that  national  sin,  led  to  a  growing  desire  for  union 
with  each  other,  and  with  all  Evangelical  Protestants ; 
while  the  need  of  it,  from  the  aspect  of  the  times,  seemed 
more  urgent  than  ever. 

It  was  thought  inexpedient  that  the  invitation  should 
be  given  by  the  Anti-Maynooth  Committee,  which  had 
been  formed  for  a  distinct  and  political  object.  Several 
members  of  the  Scotch  Free  Church  had  already  taken 
steps  for  the  promotion  of  Christian  union ;  and  by 
the  consent  of  their  Edinburgh  brethren,  the  task  was 
devolved  on  them,  of  inviting,  to  a  preliminary  confer- 
ence, the  leading  members  of  various  evangelical  bodies  of 
Christians  throughout  the  empire.  The  invitation  was  is- 
sued, August  5,  and  Liverpool  was  fixed  upon  as  the  most 
convenient  place  for  their  meeting. 

The  letters  on  "  Union,"  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  wrote 
and  published  in  the  course  of  July  and  August,  arose 
from  the  depth  of  his  own  personal  convictions ;  but  they 
concurred  remarkably  with  these  other  steps  of  Divine 
Providence.    The  Spirit  of  God  was  working  simultane- 

*  A  volume  of  Essays,  by  eminent  ministers,  on  Christian  Union,  was 
printed  and  circulated  by  Mr.  Henderson  of  Glasgow. 


260 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ously  in  many  hearts.  It  was  while  these  letters  were 
publishing,  that  he  received  the  invitation  of  the  Scotch 
brethren,  many  of  whom  he  knew  and  esteemed,  to  take 
part  in  the  proposed  conference,  which  was  to  be  held  on 
the  first  of  October,  and  had  the  very  same  object  in 
view.  From  such  a  request,  coming  at  such  a  time,  it 
seemed  unnatural  and  inconsistent  to  turn  away.  Mr. 
Bickersteth  was  well  aware,  however,  that  the  practical 
success  of  the  conference  would  be  likely  to  depend,  under 
God,  on  the  presence  of  adequate  representatives  from 
the  various  evangelical  bodies,  and  more  especially  from 
the  Church  of  England.  He  endeavored,  therefore,  during 
his  visit  to  Sandgate,  to  procure  promises  of  attendance, 
or  of  sympathy,  from  those  of  most  influence  among  his 
brother  clergymen.  The  general  tenor  of  their  answers 
was  discouraging.  His  spirit  was  weighed  down  with  fear 
and  heaviness,  and  he  was  led,  with  increased  earnest- 
ness, to  commit  the  whole  matter  in  persevering  prayer 
to  God.  All  approved  highly  of  the  object ;  but  some 
were  suspicious  of  the  parties  by  whom  the  circular  was 
sent  forth,  others  deemed  co-operation  impossible,  and 
thought  the  attempt  likely  to  cause  increased  division ; 
while  those  who  sympathized  more  hopefully  with  the 
movement,  were  afraid  to  commit  themselves  to  it,  till 
they  could  reckon  on  the  support  of  some  large  number 
of  their  brethren.  "When  one  refusal  followed  another,  it 
became  a  serious  question  with  him,  whether  the  possible 
sacrifice  of  influence,  in  his  own  immediate  sphere,  might 
not  outweigh  the  benefit  which  the  cause  of  union  would 
gain  from  his  presence  at  the  meeting,  since  the  same  cir- 
cumstance diminished  also  the  hopes  of  a  very  successful 
issue.  The  simple  faith,  which  led  him  to  say  thirty  years 
before  : — "  There  shall  be  a  Church  Missionary  Associa- 
tion at  Norwich,  if  I  have  to  stand  alone  on  the  Castle 
Hill," — guided  him  now  in  a  similar  perplexity.  He 
knew  that  the  object  was  immensely  important,  the  duty 
of  promoting  it  by  all  lawful  means,  clear  and  imperative; 
and  he  saw  nothing  but  a  risk  of  incurring  odium,  or  a 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


261 


vague  fear  of  possible  dangers,  to  place  in  the  other  scale, 
against  an  apparent  call  of  Providence,  and  the  obligation 
of  consistency,  in  his  practice,  with  his  published  senti- 
ments. The  line  of  conduct  which  he  pursued,  and  the 
feelings  which  guided  him,  appear  in  his  journal  and  let- 
ters, and  in  his  own  publications  connected  with  the  Alli- 
ance. He  went  to  the  Conference  in  October  with  fear 
and  trembling,  under  a  simple  conviction  of  duty  in  the 
sight  of  God,  and  with  considerable  sacrifice  of  personal 
feeling.  His  fears  were  disappointed,  and  his  hopes  sur- 
passed by  the  character  of  the  meeting.  The  Spirit  of  God 
seemed  to  be  specially  present  with  His  people,  amid  their 
many  infirmities,  to  bless  them  in  their  feeble  efforts  to 
obey  the  command  of  Christ,  and  cultivate  the  love  of  the 
brethren  ;  and  he  returned  to  his  home  praising  the  Lord 
for  His  goodness,  and  with  renewed  zeal,  to  labor  in  the 
furtherance  of  love  and  union. 

On  September  9,  he  replied  thus  to  the  Scotch  circular 
of  invitation: 

Dear  Sir, 

It  will  give  me  real  pleasure,  God  permitting,  to  meet  my 
brethren  of  different  denominations,  holding  the  Head,  at  Liver- 
pool, for  the  furtherance  of  Christian  union  and  brotherly  love, 
and  in  withstanding,  at  this  critical  time,  the  common  enemies 
of  our  blessed  Lord.  May  He  himself  graciously  direct  us  to 
those  measures  which  shall  be  for  His  glory. 

I  feel  strongly  that  mutual  humiliation  before  God  is  needed 
from  us  all.  0  may  the  spirit  our  Lord  has  pronounced  to  be 
blessed,  in  His  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  be  granted  to  us  !  We 
shall  agree  in  devotional  and  practical  things,  I  trust,  to  a  large 
extent ;  and  there  is  a  wide  field  of  doctrine  also,  in  which  we 
are  one — if  we  can  keep  subordinate  things  in  their  due  place. 

It  appears  to  me,  it  would  much  strengthen  our  standing  be- 
fore the  true  Church  of  Christ,  if  we  included  expressly  Socini- 
anism,  as  well  as  Popery,  as  one  fatal  error  with  which  we  have 
to  contend.  They  were  both  nationally  discouraged  at  the  Rev- 
olution ;  they  are  both  now  nationally  favored,  and  need  there- 
fore the  express  protest  of  real  Christians.     Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


262 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


In  another  letter,  a  few  days  later,  lie  observed, 

It  is  clear  the  true  children  of  God  will  soon  have  to  stand 
alone  against  all  the  mighty  hosts  of  this  world :  Politicians  and 
Statesmen,  men  of  learning,  talent,  and  genius,  earthly-minded 
men,  the  superstitious,  as  well  as  the  Infidel,  the  Papist,  and  the 
anarchist,  will  all  combine  against  those,  who,  cost  what  it  may, 
denounce  their  errors  as  fatal  and  ruinous  ;  and  who  will  hold 
forth  the  word  of  life  at  every  sacrifice  of  ease,  peace,  advantage, 
and  honor. 

There  are  two  grand  impediments  to  real  union.  On  our  part, 
the  spirit  of  the  Canons*  is  a  dead  weight,  confining,  cramping, 
and  keeping  us  from  recognizing  Dissenting  bodies  as  true  Churches 
of  Christ ;  and  on  their  part,  the  anti-church  spirit  is  like  a  fiery 
poison  in  the  veins.  Both  these  evils,  I  think,  will  be  greatly 
diminished  by  the  mutual  forbearance  of  brotherly  meetings,  with 
the  determined  purpose — "  whereto  we  have  already  attained,  let 
us  walk  by  the  same  rule,  let  us  mind  the  same  thing" — and  not 
pressing  any  thing  on  which  we  differ.  If  we  can  get  into  com- 
mon actings  of  brotherly  love,  for  the  spiritual  benefit  of  Papists, 
and  the  strengthening  of  Protestants,  in  Ireland  first,  and  then  in 
France,  Germany  and  elsewhere,  either  by  already  fixed  Societies, 
or  a  fresh  Society,  we  shall  by  well-doing  put  our  adversaries  to 
silence.  It  would  be  a  glorious  object,  worthy  of  our  meeting,  to 
bring  on  the  Philadelphian  state  of  the  Church,  which  I  believe 
has  yet  to  appear. 

He  wrote,  a  few  days  before  the  journey, 

We  can  never  take  any  step  onward  in  the  cause  of  Christ, 
without  obstacles  as  mighty  as  the  Red  Sea  before  us,  and  the 
Egyptians  behind  us.  .  .  .  May  the  Lord  himself  give  us  the 
wisdom  that  is  profitable  to  direct.  I  go  in  weakness,  fear,  and 
trembling,  and  yet  with  a  full  conviction  that  it  is  our  dear  Mas- 

*  In  Mr.  Bickersteth's  deliberate  judgment,  the  letter  of  the  Canons  -was 
not  morally  binding  on  the  conscience  of  any  clergyman,  since  no  assent  to 
them  is  required.  Their  obligation,  in  his  opinion,  was  like  that  of  obsolete 
and  injudicious  laws  in  the  state;  and  implies  merely  the  duty  of  submis- 
sion to  their  penalty,  or  compliance  with  their  injunctions,  when  enforced, as 
a  small  price  for  a  great  ecclesiastical  benefit. 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


263 


ter's  work  ;  and  with  readiness,  I  trust,  to  suffer  reproach  for  His 
sake. 

The  meetings  lasted  three  days,  Oct.  1-3,  and  two 
hundred  and  sixteen  Christians,  of  seventeen  denomina- 
tions, were  present.  They  commenced  with  prayer  and 
deovtional  services,  and  continued  with  free  discussion  on 
the  great  object  itself,  of  Christian  union,  and  the  various 
difficulties  which  stood  in  its  way.  Mr.  Bickersteth  had 
the  privilege  of  being  the  first  called  upon  to  supplicate 
the  gracious  presence  of  God,  and  His  blessing  on  a  work 
of  love.  He  also  occupied  the  chair  on  the  morning  of 
the  second  day,  at  the  third  sitting  of  the  conference,  and 
on  the  third  day,  after  the  conversations  were  ended, 
moved  the  first  of  the  resolutions,  both  in  the  morning 
and  evening.  It  was  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  which 
he  so  earnestly  desired  to  cultivate,  as  the  surest  pledge 
of  real  union,  a  common  humiliation  for  sin  in  the 
presence  of  God.  In  his  parting  address  be  made  these 
remarks  on  the  aspect  of  the  times,  and  the  duty  of  faith- 
ful Christians. 

We  shall  have  to  buckle  on  our  armor  for  a  more  arduous  con- 
flict, only  not  with  each  other,  but  with  a  common  foe.  We 
shall  feel  that  we  are  in  one  great  army,  under  one  Head,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  fighting  against  the  Devil,  and  Antichrist  in 
all  its  forms.  From  my  own  knowledge  of  the  state  of  Popery, 
and  of  Christendom,  and  from  some  study  of  the  Divine  word,  I 
think  that  we  must  prepare  for  a  very  serious  and  awful  conflict 
with  that  great  apostasy,  which  has  so  long  deluded  the  Church 
of  God.  My  great  hope  and  joy  is,  that  all  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  will  then  be  more  and  more  as  one 
army  united  together,  and  that  they  will  have  such  joy  and  such 
triumph  in  the  midst  of  their  conflicts,  such  comfort  of  love  in 
Christ  Jesus,  that  trials  and  afflictions  themselves  will  be  full  of 
blessedness,  enabling  them  to  glorify  God  in  the  fire. 

I  am  anxious  we  should  all  convey  the  spirit  we  have  felt  in 
these  meetings  to  our  respective  neighborhoods,  though  I  feel  that 
there  has  been  a  spirit  manifested,  which  can  not  be  conveyed  by 


264  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


a  mere  recital.  I  trust  our  hearts  are  so  fully  knit,  that,  as  the 
mouth  speaks  out  of  the  fullness  of  the  heart,  when  this  conference 
hreaks  up,  it  will  spread  blessings  all  over  the  land.  The  Reso- 
lution is  as  follows  : 

"  That  this  Meeting  desires  to  express  its  humiliation  before  God 
and  His  Church,  for  all  the  divisions  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  especially  for  every  thing  which  we  ourselves  may  have 
spoken,  in  theological  and  ecclesiastical  discussions,  contrary  to 
'  speaking  the  truth  in  love  ;'  and  would  earnestly  and  aftec- 
-tionately  recommend  to  each  other  in  our  own  conduct,  and 
particularly  in  our  use  of  the  press,  carefully  to  abstain  from, 
and  to  put  away,  all  bitterness,  wrath,  anger,  clamor,  and  evil- 
speaking,  with  all  malice  ;  and  in  things  whereon  we  may  yet 
differ  from  each  other,  to  be  kind,  tender-hearted,  forbearing 
one  another  in  love,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven  us ;  in  every  thing  seeking  to  be 
followers  of  God,  as  dear  children,  and  to  walk  in  love,  as 
Christ  also  hath  loved  us." 

When  I  remember  that  the  first  of  the  beatitudes  is,  "  Blessed 
are  the  poor  in  spirit,"  and  that  they  ascend  in  a  climax,  till  we 
read,  "  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,"  I  can  not  but  trust  that 
this  meeting  will  ultimately  inherit  all  the  blessings  there  pro- 
nounced. May  God  enable  us  to  go  forth  in  the  spirit  of  the 
beatitudes  to  our  respective  homes,  and  circulate  those  impres- 
sions of  humility  and  love,  which  have  been  made  on  all  our 
hearts." 

After  one  or  two  touching  and  beautiful  confessions, 
made  by  those  who  spoke  next,  of  their  previous  offenses 
against  Christian  love,  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  obliged  to 
leave  the  meeting ;  and  all  who  were  present  rose,  as  he 
left,  in  token  of  their  deep  respect.  On  the  following  day 
he  wrote  from  Watton  to  a  private  friend : 

I  am  just  returned  from  the  most  touching,  truly  Christian,  and 
most  profitable  three  days'  meetings,  I  ever  passed  in  my  whole 
life.  They  will  ever  be  memorable  to  me,  for  the  oneness  which 
our  God  gave,  first  in  heart,  and  then  to  a  large  extent  in  judg- 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


265 


ment,  lo  the  leading  ministers  of  more  than  a  dozen  evangelical 
denominations,  from  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  and  Wales. 
More  than  two  hundred  were  present,  of  ministers  and  laymen. 
Many  weighty  resolutions  were  passed,  as  the  basis  of  union,  and 
then  of  future  action.  They  were  much  discussed,  but  not  one 
dissentient  voice  disturbed  the  passing  of  those  resolutions.  The 
last,  while  I  was  there,  was  one  of  humiliation  before  God  for  our 
divisions,  confessions  of  our  sinfulness,  and  purpose  to  abstain  from 
angry,  irritating  things  hereafter. 

I  went  at  great  personal  sacrifice,  not  merely  of  time,  &c,  but 
what  cuts  infinitely  deeper,  without  my  brethren  who  so  generally 
think  with  me  ;  but  I  doubt  not,  I  shall  thank  God,  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  for  His  grace  in  disposing  me  to  go.  .  .  .  The  first 
meeting  for  two  or  three  hours  was  simply  spent  in  prayer,  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  and  singing.  This  brought  us  into  a  heavenly 
and  devout  state  of  feeling,  and  then  two  meetings  were  given 
to  mutual  conference.  Sub-committees  arranged  business,  and 
subjects  to  be  brought  forward  ;  a  solid  basis  of  union  was  fixed, 
and  then  plans  of  future  action,  the  whole  being  preliminary  to  a 
larger  meeting,  if  God  will,  in  the  summer  of  1846,  in  London. 

The  Lord  prosper  it  yet  more  abundantly  to  His  glory  and  the 
good  of  His  church  !  The  God  of  peace  and  love  was  with  us 
throughout.  Help  us  not  only  by  your  prayers,  but  also  by  your 
pen. 

In  a  letter  to  Sir  Culling  Earclley,  of  the  following 
week,  after  some  expression  of  his  feeling  with  regard  to 
the  practical  evils  of  the  Anti-State  Church  movement,  he 
continued : 

It  is  always  a  privilege  to  submit  ourselves  one  to  another  in 
the  fear  of  God,  and  he  who  is  first  in  this  is  really  highest  with 
the  Lord.  I  feel  the  vast  importance  of  our  meetings  at  Liver- 
pool, and  if  we  have  grace  from  the  Lord,  rightly  to  improve  the 
opening  which  He  has  given  us,  no  tongue  can  tell  the  sweet 
joys  of  light,  union,  and  love,  before  the  children  of  God.  But 
oh,  how  much  there  is  yet  to  bear  and  forbear  !  I  am  writing 
daily  to  influential  brethren.  ...  In  the  light  of  prophecy,  I 
fully  hope  that  the  Philadelphian  state  of  the  Church  is  coming 
on.    God  give  us  the  blessing  of  the  peace-maker,  though  it  be, 

vol.  n. — M 


266 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


as  I  believe,  followed  with  the  higher  blessing  of  suffering  for 
Christ's  sake.  Matt.  v.  9-12.  Phil.  i.  29.  Rev.  iii.  7-13.  May 
you  have  a  rich  reward  in  devoting  yourself  to  this  blessed  cause  ! 
It  will  fill  Lady  C.  with  joy,  and  bring  a  rich  reward  on  your 
dear  children.  Very  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

He  wrote  on  the  same  day  to  his  beloved  friend,  Mr. 
Stewart,  who  soon  after  joined  the  Alliance. 

Never,  in  all  my  many  meetings,  did  I  attend  such  truly 
blessed  ones  as  these.  Cast  down  as  I  was,  with  not  having  my 
brethren  with  me,  and  standing  so  much  alone,  yet  there  was 
such  a  manifestation  of  Divine  grace  through  the  meetings,  in 
frank  declarations  of  sentiment,  in  forbearing  one  another  in  love, 
in  manifested  unity  in  great  things,  in  the  spirit  of  devotion  in 
every  prayer,  and  the  spirit  of  praise  and  joy,  as  we  came  to 
unanimity  in  the  basis  of  union  and  work  before  us,  as  filled  our 
hearts  with  gratitude  to  God  and  love  to  each  other.  .  .  . 

I  would  now  earnestly,  through  you,  entreat  all  my  dear 
brethren,  whom  I  love  in  the  Lord,  and  at  many  of  whose  feet  I 
have  sat  with  such  profit,  not  to  impede  or  oppose  a  work  which 
God  seems  graciously  to  have  owned  ;  or  to  be  any  stumbling- 
block  to  those  who,  like  themselves,  loving  truth  and  peace,  are 
seeking  to  be  peace-makers  among  brethren.  I  would  write 
separately  to  others,  but  am  overwhelmed  with  work. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  cheering  dawn,  however,  which  delighted  the 
hearts  of  many  in  these  first  meetings,  was  speedily  over- 
cast with  clouds,  and  the  hindrances  and  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  union  began  to  appear.  The  following  notes 
toward  the  close  of  the  month,  alludes  to  discussions 
which  had  taken  place  in  a  synod  of  the  Free  Church, 
and  to  other  difficulties  which  were  rising  in  various 
quarters. 

Watton  Rectory,  October  25. 

My  dear  Dr.  Candlish, 
I  see  that  you  in  the  North  have  difficulties  with  some  of  your 


TELE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


267 


brethren,  as  we  in  the  South  have  with  brethren  of  another  cast 
of  mind.  But  it  is  sad  when  we  fight  against  all  Popery,  but 
the  Topery  of  the  inner  man  in  our  own  bosom  ;  and  when  all 
opinions  are  heresy  but  those  at  which  we  have  personally 
arrived,  and  the  strife  becomes — who  is  the  infallible  inter- 
preter ? 

But  I  would  write  on  a  more  difficult  subject — membership 
of  our  Alliance  :  all  who  join  us  now  will  influence  and  govern 
us  hereafter.  If  we  leave  it  quite  open  to  all  who  acknowledge 
our  basis,  we  are  in  great  danger  of  unsuitable  men  pressing  in. 
I  am  disposed  to  think  that  communicants  of  Protestant  churches, 
who  concur  in  the  basis — though  it  might  diminish,  perhaps,  our 
numbers,  would  purify  and  strengthen  the  body.  I  should  like 
to  have  your  mind  on  it,  before  any  recommendation  in  our  Com- 
mittee. 

Very  many  of  my  brethren  are  with  me  in  heart,  who  do  not 
join.  Their  difficulty  is  this :  While  the  Dissenters,  as  a  body, 
maintain  their  present  attitude  of  hostility  to  what  they  call  the 
State  Church,  if  I  unite,  I  shall  be  compromising  interests  I  ought 
to  defend. 

The  goodness  of  God  in  the  Liverpool  meetings  was  so  great, 
as  may  encourage  us  to  hope  that  He  will  yet  use  us  in  furthering 
the  union  of  His  people.  God  bless  and  strengthen  you  in  your 
many  weighty  duties,  prays 

Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  following  alludes,  in  part,  to  the  same  discussion, 
and  to  an  article  in  one  of  the  Scotch  papers,  containing, 
with  some  praise  of  the  Alliance,  a  strong  invective 
against  the  Church  of  England. 

Watton  Rectory,  Oct.  31. 

My  dear  Mr.  H. 

Your  letter  has  given  me  great  pleasure.  Thanks  be  to  God 
for  leading  you  to  this  view  of  the  subject.  G.'s  speech  is  singu- 
larly clever,  and  yet  absurd.  "  You  must  agree  with  me  in  every 
point  as  the  first  step,  and  absolutely  essential." 

We  are  really  feeling  our  way  toward  fuller  union.  The  true 
view  of  our  effort  is,  an  immediate  purpose  to  co-operate  for  defi- 


268  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


nite  ends,  on  the  strength  of  that  partial  union  which  really  exists, 
and  a  hope  that,  by  strengthening  and  cultivating  the  actual 
union,  and  a  careful  abstinence  from  needless  causes  of  irritation, 
it  will  please  God,  in  his  providence,  to  open  the  way  for  a  deep 
and  full  union.  We  must  not  mar  the  first  and  easier  stage,  by 
confounding  it  with  another  for  which  we  are  not  ripe  ;  neither, 
if  the  movement  is  to  be  real,  must  we  in  our  hopes  abandon  the 
other,  which  ought  to  be  attained. 

I  was  sorry  to  see  the  article.  It  is  not  true.  The  Evangel- 
ical clergy  are  not  an  insignificant  fraction  of  the  Church  ;  and 
even  the  errors  in  other  pulpits  are  much  oftener  defect  than  posi- 
tive falsehood.  The  preaching  has  commonly  a  higher  standard 
than  the  preacher,  and  with  the  Lessons  and  Liturgy,  a  nearly  full 
system  of  truth  is  before  the  eyes  of  the  people.  This  can  not 
make  up  for  the  want  of  heart  and  power ;  but  still  it  is  a  libel 
to  describe  it  as,  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases,  the  constant  incul- 
cation of  deadly  error.  The  spirit  of  Christ,  which  rejoices  in 
truth,  wherever  it  finds  it,  is  wanting  in  such  statements. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  general  feelings  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  on  the  difficult, 
though  blessed  work,  in  which  he  was  now  engaged, 
appear  in  his  private  journal. 

"  October  25.  The  events  of  the  last  two  months  have 
been  very  important.  I  spent  the  month  of  September 
at  Sandgate,  preached  at  Dover,  and  went  to  Fredville 
(Mr.  Plumptre's  residence).  God  greatly  prospered  several 
charity-sermons,  and  I  hope  good  was  done. 

"  On  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday,  October  1-3, 
I  attended  a  series  of  meetings  at  Liverpool  for  promoting 
Christian  union.  There  were  representatives  from  twenty 
denominations,  and  God  was  very  graciously  present  with 
us  ;  so  that,  amid  the  thousands  of  meetings  I  have  attended 
for  the  last  forty  years,  I  never  was  at  any  so  full  of  unc- 
tion and  blessing.  We  came  to  very  harmonious  conclu- 
sions, and  I  hope,  laid  a  basis  for  more  extended  efforts  to 
promote  the  same  blessed  cause. 

"  But  this  is  likely  to  meet  with  violent  opposition  from 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


269 


all  quarters,  and  at  present,  I  fear,  but  little  support  even 
from  faithful  ministers,  who  love  the  Lord.  It  is  so  new 
and  untried.  I  desire  to  move  with  prayer,  wisdom,  and 
faith.  Lord !  give  me  all  needful  grace !  Specially  quicken 
me  in  Thy  way,  for  Thy  name's  sake. 

"A  new  edition  of  my  'Divine  Warning'  is  passing 
through  the  press. 

"  November  28.  The  importance  of  the  Liverpool  meet- 
ing is,  I  think,  beginning  more  and  more  to  appear.  The 
Alliance  thus  formed,  is  rapidly  increasing  and  spreading, 
amid  much  coolness  and  opposition  from  many,  who,  I 
hoped,  would  have  favored  it.  It  has  brought  a  great  in- 
crease of  correspondence  and  labor  upon  me,  and  frequent 
journeys  to  London. 

"  I  have  had  the  joy  of  seeing  one  of  the  most  unlikely 
numbered  among  my  communicants.  Truly  the  Lord  is 
manifesting  His  grace  in  my  parish  more,  since  He  has 
led  my  heart  to  seek  the  union  of  His  Church.  To  Him 
be  the  glory. 

"  My  '  Family  Expositions,'  taken  down  by  one  of  my 
daughters,  have  been  sent  to  the  press.  May  they  be 
blessed  of  God.  "VVe  had  important  prophetical  meetings 
last  week.  Thus  work  abounds  more  and  more;  but 
thanks  be  to  God,  that  He  gives  me  health  and  strength 
for  it  all.    O  may  He  be  with  me  now  at  His  table  !" 

The  perplexities,  which  arose  at  this  time,  were  from 
three  different  sources.  Severe  reflections  on  the  Church 
of  England  were  made,  soon  after  the  Conference  at  Liver- 
pool, by  one  or  two  of  those  who  had  been  present,  both 
in  meetings  connected  with  the  Free  Church,  and  in  those 
of  the'Anti-State-Church  Society,  while  these  and  similar 
causes  of  offense  were  collected  in  the  pages  of  the  "  Chris- 
tian Observer,"  and  were  made  the  ground  for  a  charge 
of  treachery  and  deceit  on  the  part  of  those  who  gave,  and 
those  who  accepted  the  invitation  to  Liverpool.  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth  endeavored,  amid  all  these  perplexities,  to  keep 
steadily  in  view  the  great  object,  the  removal  of  offenses 
in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  and  the  promotion  of  real  unity 


270  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


and  forbearing  love.  The  following  are  extracts  from  three 
notes,  written  about  the  same  time  with  this  view. 

WattoD  Rectory. 

My  dear   , 

Knowing  from  my  experience  at  Liverpool  your  Christian  prin- 
ciple, and  your  brotherly  heart,  I  venture  to  direct  your  attention 
to  an  article  in  the  Christian  Observer  of  this  month,  on  our 
Evangelical  Alliance.  I  exceedingly  disapprove  of  the  article,  and 
grieve  over  it  as  a  one-sided  view,  and  have  written  to  the  Editor 
freely  ;  but  I  think  it  may  be  useful  to  show  you  the  real  difficul- 
ties of  our  standing,  who  are  of  the  Established  Church,  and  how 
those  difficulties  are  aggravated.  ...  I  do  not  complain  of  your 
address  as  any  departure  from  the  stipulations  of  the  meeting,  but 
I  should  have  numbered  it,  in  your  case,  among  things  lawful  but 
not  expedient ;  considering  especially  the  exceedingly  tender  state 
of  our  infant  Alliance,  the  immense  blessing  it  may  yet  be,  and 
the  position  of  those  brethren  in  the  Established  Church,  who  have 
cordially  joined  it,  in  the  hope  of  attaining  its  great  ends. 

0  may  our  God  give  us  grace  to  meet  all  difficulty  and  opposi- 
tion in  the  mind  of  Christ,  not  being  overcome  of  evil,  but  over- 
coming evil  with  good,  and  remembering  the  perfect  example  of 
our  blessed  Redeemer,  1  Peter  ii.  19—24.  Excuse  the  freedom  of 
my  letter,  and  believe  me, 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  Dec.  14. 

My  dear   , 

The  brotherly  spirit  which  you  manifested  at  Liverpool,  and 
which  drew  my  heart  to  you,  leads  me  to  write  to  you  direct,  re- 
specting the  expressions  in  your  address  at  Edinburgh. 

There  was  nothing  contrary  to  our  agreement,  and  I  fully  admit 
the  lawfulness,  in  that  view,  of  your  statements.  But  amid  the 
mighty  difficulties  we  have  in  every  way  in  bringing  the  children 
of  God  into  oneness,  there  appears  to  me  an  undesirableness,  at 
union-meetings,  in  speaking  against  bodies  that  hold  the  Head  ; 
as  placing  our  fellow-Christians  under  increased  difficulties  in 
working  out  the  great  object. 

There  are,  blessed  be  God,  several  thousands,  I  might  almost 
say  to  my  own  knowledge,  of  ministers  of  Christ  who  love  and 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE.  271 

preach  Him,  in  the  parishes  scattered  over  England  ;  and  amid 
all  the  defects  we  mourn  over  in  our  Church,  we  prize  its  insti- 
tutions. Say,  this  is  our  infirmity  ; — but  we  know  enough,  my 
dear  friend,  of  Rom.  xiv.,  to  bear  with  each  other,  even  in  infir- 
mities. 

My  perfect  confidence  in  you  as  a  Christian  brother  makes  me 
write  freely. 

Very  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

My  dear  Dr.  Candlish, 

I  write  now  respecting  an  article  of  this  month  in  the  Christian 
Observer,  on  our  Evangelical  Alliance  ;  to  meet  which  in  the 
mind  of  Christ,  overcoming  evil  with  good,  will  require  peculiar 
grace  in  our  Scotch  brethren.  I  believe  the  designs  charged 
against  you  are  as  alien  from  your  minds  as  possible,  and  I  grieve 
at  the  sending  forth  of  such  suspicions.  0  may  our  God  give  you 
grace  to  act  in  the  sweet  spirit  of  the  Gospel  !  (1  Peter  iii.  8,  9.) 
I  believe,  if  we  do  so,  these  sharp  accusations  will  give  us  our 
happiest  victories.  I  should  hope  you  or  Dr.  Chalmers,  or  Dr. 
Buchanan,  will  set  the  key-note  of  love  again  in  answering  this. 
I  have  myself  written  privately  to  express  my  grief. 

I  have  had  a  very  important  adhesion  from  130  ministers  and 
laity  of  Geneva,  stating  more  distinctly  their  doctrinal  views.  All 
seem  afraid  of  going  much  further  than  we  have  done  in  a  doc- 
trinal statement,  and  anxious  to  impress  the  importance  of  the 
real,  spiritual  life  existing  in  the  heart,  and  flowing  from  the  arti- 
cles we  have  confessed.  .  .  .  May  the  Lord  guide  and  bless  us. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  letter  of  the  foreign  brethren,  alluded  to  above, 
and  Mr.  Bickersteth's  reply,  exhibit  another,  and  perhaps 
a  still  more  interesting  view,  of  the  practical  working  of 
the  Alliance. 

Geneva,  Nov.  19. 

Reverend  and  dear  Brother, 
We  have  the  pleasure  of  communicating  to  you  the  accompa- 
nying address,  and  beg  you  to  set  it  before  the  General  Committee 
for  the  Promotion  of  Christian  Union. 


272  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


We  have  seen  that  the  London  Committee  were  authorized  to 
inform  the  foreign  brethren  that  you  are  a  member  of  that  Com- 
mittee, and  also  that  you  were  one  of  the  presidents  at  Liverpool. 
These  motives,  added  to  the  respect  we  feel  for  your  Christian 
character,  have  determined  us  to  resort  to  your  intervention.  Per- 
mit me  to  add  two  or  three  words  in  our  private  capacity. 

The  brethren  whose  signatures  we  have  sent,  concur  in  what 
has  been  done  in  Liverpool,  and  in  all  with  which  they  are  hith- 
erto acquainted  ;  but  it  is  clear  that  they  can  not  pledge  them- 
selves to  concur  in  what  may  hereafter  be  done  without  their 
knowledge. 

We  believe  that  all  those  who  have  signed,  are  earnestly  and 
prayerfully  desirous  that  this  Christian  Union  should  be  com- 
pleted, without  any  obstacle  being  thrown  in  the  way.  But  if 
the  Committee  in  London  make  any  considerable  addition  to  the 
number  of  the  dogmas  contained  in  their  confession  —  if  they 
enter  into  details  of  doctrine  on  difficult  points,  it  is  possible  that 
some,  who  now  adhere,  might  not  be  able  to  go  along  with  such 
additions. 

Articles  are  necessary  ;  but  it  is  not  in  articles  that  we  must 
seek  for  Christian  union,  but  in  the  word  of  God  believed  in  the 
heart,  in  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  in 
communion  with  the  same  Head.  Christian  union  can  only  be 
realized  by  much  faith  and  life  on  the  one  hand,  and  by  much 
prudence  and  moderation  on  the  other. 

Accept,  dear  brother,  the  assurance  of  our  respect  and  Christian 
affection. 

C.  Barde,  Pasteur. 
Merle  D'Aubigne. 

This  letter  was  accompanied  by  another,  signed  largely 
by  the  Christians  of  Geneva,  explaining  at  length  their 
views  of  the  basis  proposed  for  the  Alliance,  and  to  which 
the  following  was  the  reply. 

Watton  Rectory,  December  15. 
Beloved  brethren  in  Christ, 
Your  letter  was  received  by  me  with  deep  interest  and  broth- 
erly affection.    It  very  much  accorded  with  the  principles  and 
feelings  which  our  gracious  God  has  given  me,  respecting  His 
glorious  gospel ;  and  having  communicated  it  to  leading  members 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


273 


of  our  Alliance,  there  is  a  considerable  response  in  their  minds. 
You  may  be  assured,  there  is  not  the  least  probability  that  any 
thing  will  be  made  articles  of  the  union,  at  all  opposed  to  those 
sentiments. 

At  the  same  time  it  would  be  unwise  to  make  limitations, 
which  might  exclude  real  brethren  in  the  Lord.  Our  object  was 
to  make  the  opening  so  wide,  that  as  many  as  possible  of  those 
who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  might  be  brought  into 
our  Alliance,  and  yet  so  distinct,  that  it  might  not  be  latitudina- 
rian,  and  include  those  who  hold  vital  errors.  The  brief  state- 
ment which  I  inclose,  will  give  you  a  clearer  and  fuller  view  of 
our  aim  than  has  yet  appeared.  I  prepared  it  at  the  request  of 
the  London  Committee,  and  they  approved  it.  If  it  commends 
itself  to  your  minds,  perhaps  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  get  it 
translated  into  French,  and  circulated,  to  diffuse  information 
among  your  brethren. 

We  deeply  feel  how  much  we  need  the  special  guidance  of  the 
Spirit  of  our  God  in  every  step  of  the  way.  We  feel,  also,  how 
ignorant  we  still  are  of  the  brethren  on  the  Continent,  who  would 
cordially  join  with  us  in  this  blessed  work.  Our  only  hope  is  in 
the  Lord,  and  we  wait  on  Him  continually  in  prayer.  The  im- 
pediments are  great,  everywhere,  to  real,  cordial,  full,  Christian 
union.  But  the  mighty  Spirit  of  our  God,  who  has  already  con- 
verted to.  the  Lord  the  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  His 
people  in  every  land,  has  accomplished,  in  that  conversion,  the 
great  elements  of  the  union  we  desire  to  make  visible  to  the 
world,  by  a  manifested  oneness  of  confession,  and  by  a  real  broth- 
erly feeling,  notwithstanding  all  diversity  in  subordinate  things. 
Thus  will  our  Savior  be  glorified,  and  the  Papist  and  the  Infidel 
be  left  without  the  excuse,  so  often  urged,  of  the  variations  of 
Protestant  Churches. 

You  may  render  us  great  help,  by  furnishing  lists  of  brethren 
on  the  Continent,  with  whom  we  might  correspond  on  this  great 
object ;  and  especially  such  leading  brethren,  as  it  would  be  de- 
sirable to  have  at  the  London  summer  conference. 

May  I  add — British  Christians  have  much  sympathized  with 
our  suffering  brethren  of  the  Canton  de  Vaud,  and  grieve  over  the 
harsh  and  unchristian  spirit  in  the  government,  which  has  dealt 
so  severely  with  faithful  ministers  of  Christ.  It  is  one  object  of 
our  Alliance,  to  show  brotherly  love  to  brethren,  suffering  for  the 

M* 


274 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


truth  in  any  part  of  the  world  ;  and  I  hope  that,  when  our  plans 
are  matured,  ways  for  doing  this  effectually  may  be  opened. 

You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  this  cause  is  daily  gathering 
strength  in  the  country.  Ministers  of  Christ  in  all  denominations 
are  giving  in  their  names.  We  have  good  hope  that  our  God 
will  increase  us,  and  bless  us,  and  make  us  a  blessing.  .  .  The 
Lord  bless  you  and  keep  you,  and  make  His  face  shine  upon  you. 
You  have  much  refreshed  our  hearts  by  your  brotherly  letter,  and 
strengthened  the  principles  on  which  we  are  united.  Pray  also 
for  us,  that  we  may  be  guarded  from  every  thing  that  would  mar 
this  work,  and  guided  to  all  that  may  strengthen,  confirm,  and 
enlarge  it. 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

This  eventful  year  closed  with  the  following  reflections 
in  his  journal. 

"  December  24.  Goodness  and  mercy  follow  me  and 
mine.    All  glory  be  to  the  Lord. 

"  The  Evangelical  Alliance  spreads,  and  calls  forth  the 
opposition,  alas !  of  good  men.  Lord,  grant  that  their 
opposition  may  so  purify  this  work,  that  at  length  they 
may  be  brought  to  join  us  !  There  is  to  be,  God  willing, 
a  meeting  on  January  8,  in  London,  and  others  on  the  15th 
and  following  days  at  Liverpool,  which  I  hope  to  attend. 
O  for  heavenly  wisdom,  patience,  forbearance,  and  love ! 
Surely  I  need  especially  to  abound  in  prayer. 

"  God  has  been  very  gracious  in  providing  an  opening 
for  my  child  F.  to  pass  the  winter  at  Torquay,  in  Sir  C. 
Eardley's  family,  and  for  help  being  found  to  provide  me 
a  fellow-laborer.  All  glory  be  to  His  great  name  for  his 
many  mercies. 

"  I  have  suffered  much  in  the  last  fortnight.  Thanks 
be  to  God  for  sufferings,  which  humble  me,  and  draw  me 
near  to  Him. 

"  I  entreat  Thee,  make  me  a  larger  blessing  to  my  peo- 
ple! Oh  that  there  may  be  in  my  parish  that  Christian 
union,  which  I  desire  to  spread  and  diffuse !  But  I  had 
need  walk  softly,  when  I  see  how  hard  it  is  to  walk  in 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


275 


union  with  my  own  flock  and  people.  Of  all  my  duties 
the  most  humbling  is  my  public  worship,  so  dead  and  for- 
mal.   O  Lord,  at  length  give  me  some  life  there! 

"  December  31.  Through  mercy  I  am  brought  to  the 
close  of  another  year.  How  excellent  is  Thy  loving-kind- 
ness, 0  my  God ! 

"  Certainly  the  most  important  work,  in  which  I  have 
been  concerned  this  year,  is  the  Evangelical  Alliance.  The 
difficulties  seem  to  thicken,  so  that  unless  God  marvel- 
ously  appear,  and  give  us  special  wisdom,  I  fear  it  will 
yet  fail.  So  many  of  the  excellent  of  the  earth  hold  back 
from  it,  after  full  consideration,  as  necessarily  to  keep  us 
very  humble,  and  very  dependent  before  God.  He  can 
crush  us  in  a  moment.  He  can  also  in  a  moment  raise  us 
out  of  the  dust. 

"  0  my  God,  I  especially  pray  for  my  parish.  I  thank 
Thee  from  the  heart,  that  in  the  past  year  several  truly 
hopeful  additions  have  been  made  to  the  communicants, 
and  I  have  reason  to  think  Thy  Spirit  has  been  at  work 
in  their  hearts.    Carry  on  Thine  own  work. 

"  We  hope  to  begin  the  year  to-morrow  with  a  special 
prayer-meeting  for  a  blessing,  as  we  have  just  closed  this 
year  with  a  service  in  the  Church. 

"  0  Lord,  I  commit  all  unto  Thee !  Without  Thee  I 
am  nothing,  and  can  do  nothing,  and  all  that  has  been 
done  comes  to  naught !  With  Thee  every  thing  prospers. 
Never  leave  me!    0  never  forsake  me!" 


CHAPTEK  XXVI. 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  ALLIANCE— FALL,  AND  ILLNESS. 
A.  D.  1846. 

With  the  new  year,  Mr.  Bickerstetk  continued  his 
labors  in  the  cause  of  Christian  union,  which  was  now 
more  than  ever  dear  to  his  heart.  Even  those  who 
doubted  the  expediency,  and  feared  the  results  of  the 
proposed  Alliance,  could  hardly  fail  to  recognize,  in  his 
recent  efforts,  the  simple  integrity  and  earnest  zeal  of  an 
upright  and  loving  spirit.  He  was  not  exempt,  in  some 
cpiarters,  from  bitter  censures  and  malignant  aspersions  ; 
but  most  of  those  who  loved  him  before,  even  if  they 
now  differed  from  him  in  judgment,  loved  him  the  more 
deeply  for  the  Christian  charity,  and  ardent  desire  for  the 
glory  of  Christ  in  the  closer  union  of  His  people,  which 
evidently  prompted  his  labors.  He  was,  on  his  side,  very 
jealous  that  no  diversity  of  opinion,  on  a  question  of  ex- 
pediency, should  create  fresh  suspicions,  or  weaken  mutual 
confidence,  among  dear  Christian  brethren.  His  zeal  was 
for  the  great  object  itself,  the  love  of  the  brethren ;  and 
while  his  judgment  thoroughly  approved  of  the  Alliance, 
he  was  far  from  being  disposed  to  idolize  it.  His  views 
of  prophecy  made  him  hopeful  of  great  and  real  good,  but 
kept  him  from  being  sanguine,  like  some  of  its  zealous 
friends,  of  immense  results,  and  of  a  speedy  success  that 
would  dazzle  the  eyes  of  the  world.  In  all  his  public 
speeches  and  private  counsels,  he  chiefly  dwelt  on  the  need 
of  mutual  confession,  of  abasement  and  humility,  if  the 
work  was  to  be  prospered  by  the  Divine  blessing.  An 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


277 


extract  from  the  close  of  his  address  on  January  8,  at  a 
public  meeting  in  London,  shows  the  real  nature  of  his 
hopes  and  feelings : — 

"  Union  with  all  who  love  the  Savior  is  not  a  matter 
of  choice  ;  it  is  a  commanded  duty.  To  join  the  Alliance 
is  optional,  and  very  many  real  Christians  will  stand  aloof. 
But  we  must  not,  therefore,  love  them  the  less.  O  how 
much  of  the  power  of  the  movement  depends  on  our  ad- 
hering to  this  spirit,  especially  those  who  take  a  leading 
part  in  it !  God  forbid  that,  by  unholy  tempers,  we  should 
increase  disunion,  instead  of  healing  it. 

"  Let  us  not  think  too  highly  of  this  effort — let  us  not 
expect  too  much  from  it.  It  is  not  the  mechanism  of  a 
society  that  will  heal  our  divisions,  but  God's  truth  that 
we  may  bring  out,  and  the  aid  of  the  Spirit  that  we  may 
obtain  by  prayer.  Let  us  abase  ourselves — let  us  abase 
our  society,  as  altogether  feeble  and  insufficient  in  itself, 
and  magnify  our  great  object  as  all-important.  This  will 
be  the  secret  of  our  strength,  and  God  may  then  use  us 
far  beyond  our  expectations." 

On  the  17th  of  January  he  wrote  from  Liverpool, 
where  he  had  attended  a  further  conference,  and  intro- 
duced some  practical  resolutions  for  the  furtherance  of 
humility  and  forbearance  : — 

My  beloved  Children, 
God's  loving-kindness  continues  abundantly.  Our  Liverpool 
conference  of  four  days  went  on  very  well  throughout,  and  in 
parts  was  intensely  Christian  and  edifying.  The  Manchester 
meeting  last  night  was  prodigious,  five  thousand  people  at  least 
in  the  magnificent  Trades'  Hall,  and  a  truly  Christian  spirit. 
How  good  the  Lord  has  been  in  every  part  of  the  progress  of  this 
work  !  Nothing  on  the  Lord's  part  could  more  effectually  have 
furthered  our  blessed  object.  .  .  .  At  times,  things  seemed  threat- 
ening, and  this  brought  out  the  best  feelings  of  all  :  difficulties 
were  prayed  away.    Let  us  all  praise  the  Lord  forever. 

Your  own  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


278  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


On  his  return  he  wrote  in  his  journal : — 

"  January  24.  I  have  been  to  Liverpool  and  Manches- 
ter, and  was  carried  graciously  through  weighty  duties  for 
my  Savior.  I  think  and  hope  that  the  Alliance  will,  by 
its  Christian  spirit,  manifest  clearly  to  God's  children  that 
it  is  of  God.  In  the  week  before  this,  we  had  six  impor- 
tant meetings ;  and  I  trust  that  real  good  was  done,  in 
laying  a  more  humble  and  wide  foundation  for  our  future 
proceedings  ;  but  it  will  require  time  to  win  my  brethren 
to  join  in  it.  At  present  comparatively  few  of  those,  who 
love  the  Lord,  have  united  with  it  in  my  own  church. 
Lord,  draw  them. 

"  0  Lord,  only  let  my  heart  be  right  with  Thee — only 
let  me  be  accepted  of  Thee !  This  one  thing  I  desire — 
Thy  favor,  Thy  approval.  Truly  life  is  a  vapor ;  the  fa- 
vor of  man  is  vanity.  .  .  . 

"  All  my  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  concerns  I  leave 
with  the  Lord.  May  He  provide  for  all,  and  enable  me 
to  be  a  far  larger  blessing  in  doing  good,  than  I  have  ever 
yet  been.  O  Lord,  thanks  be  unto  Thee  for  any  and  every 
instance  of  Thy  goodness,  in  using  me  for  the  good  of 
others.  Yet  more  largely  use  me  in  this  way,  for  the  glory 
of  Thy  great  name,  and  especially  in  my  own  parish,  and 
among  my  own  flock  !" 

On  January  29,  he  wrote  to  a  clergyman,  who  had  re- 
ferred to  some  proceedings  of  the  Anti-State  Church  move- 
ment, as  a  difficulty  which  prevented  his  own  adhesion  to 
the  Alliance,  and  after  some  remarks  on  that  subject,  con- 
cluded with  this  statement  of  his  views : — 

How  are  we  to  overcome  evil  ?  There  is  tremendous  evil  in 
this  war  of  brethren,  Protestant  brethren,  biting  and  devouring 
one  another.  It  is  the  scoff  of  the  Infidel  and  the  Papist.  I  be- 
lieve that  we  shall  best  overcome  it,  by  men  of  the  beatitudes 
presenting  another  spirit,  that  shall  commend  itself  to  the  minds 
and  consciences  of  all  men,  overcoming  evil  with  good.  It  is  not 
necessary  that  all  who  have  a  heart-union  should  visibly  unite, 
but  it  is  needful  that  enough  should  do  it,  to  produce  the  effect 
of  a  brotherly  recognition. 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


279 


It  is  with  the  Lord  whether  it  prosper  or  not.  I  feel  that  hith- 
erto the  design  is  hopeful,  though  full  of  difficulties.  I  endeavor 
to  commit  it  all  to  the  Lord  ;  my  conscience  being  clear  that  His 
truth  and  His  love  are  my  main  motives  in  what  I  have  done. 
Be  also  fully  assured  of  my  entire  conviction  of  your  brotherly 
spirit  and  faithfulness  to  Christ. 

Very  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  February  2. 

My  dearest  Mr.  Bevan, 
Peace  and  every  blessing  be  with  you  and  yours.    I  have  read 
your  letter  with  deepest  interest,  and  fully  enter  into  your  diffi- 
culties. 

I  think  that  we,  whom  God  has  honored  to  be  leaders,  must 
expect  to  be  the  special  objects  of  Satan's  enmity,  and  to  be  spe- 
cially tried  in  this  very  character,  that  we  may  be  proved,  and 
approved,  and  further  used.  God  has  singled  you  out  to  stand 
in  the  fore-front  of  the  battle,  and  no  wonder  Satan  should  spe- 
cially aim  his  darts  at  your  ease  and  comfort  in  it.  Let  us  gain 
our  lesser  victories,  and  it  will  be  a  token  of  the  greater  triumph. 

I  hope  also  that   will  have  learned  by  past  experience  on 

the  one  hand,  and  the  spirit  and  atmosphere  of  our  meetings 
may  have  a  sweetly  subduing  power  on  the  other,  and  then  all 
his  energy  may  have  a  right  direction.  Surely  we  have  seen 
this  already. 

I  know  how  hard  it  is,  when  we  see  inconsistency,  to  believe 
there  can  yet  be  grace  ;  but  look  at  David  living  months  in  sin, 
and  Peter  cursing  and  swearing,  as  well  as  into  our  own  hearts, 
and  till  the  Lord  come,  we  can  despair  of  no  living  being. 

Your  very  affectionate  friend, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Wattou  Rectory,  February  2. 

My  dear  Mr.  Garbett, 
Your  beautiful  Christian  letter,  so  full  of  thought,  and  unction 
of  spirit,  has  much  interested  me.  No  doubt  the  difficulties  of 
manifested  union  with  those  whom  we  know  to  be  brethren  in 
Christ  by  their  fruits  of  faith,  hope,  and  love,  while  they  differ 
in  many  things  which  we  think  important  and  precious,  are  very 
great. 


280  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


But  some  things  are  clear.  Fullness  of  confession  of  truth  does 
not  exclude  disunion.  There  is  a  much  greater  disunion  between 
me,  and  Dr.  Pusey,  or  a  mere  worldly  clergyman,  than  between 
me  and  Mr.  James,  or  a  spiritually-minded  Dissenter.  Yet  I 
quite  agree,  the  more  truth  we  cordially  receive,  the  greater  is 
our  fullness  of  union. 

But  the  state  of  the  heart  is  the  main  thing ;  and  we  have  had 
much  on  our  thoughts  to  press  a  Christian  state  of  mind  in  our 
differences,  such  as  is  brought  out,  Rom.  xiv.  ;  1  Cor.  xiii ;  Phil, 
ii.  ;  Eph.  iv.,  and  in  many  other  passages.  A  little  light  in  the 
understanding,  if  we  walk  faithfully  in  it,  and  real  love  in  the 
heart,  will  do  much  for  union. 

All  human  language  is  vague  and  indefinite,  and  can  never 
exclude  false  professors.  God1s  own  word  is  the  highest  and  clear- 
est light  which  our  world  possesses  ;  and  our  own  Articles  and 
Homilies  are  very  plain  and  explicit,  yet  what  differences  they  are 
made  to  cover ! 

It  is  wonderful  to  see  the  strange  alliances  against  this  move- 
ment It  appears  to  me  as  if  each  had  cherished  an 

idol,  which  is  in  danger  of  being  broken.  The  -warm  comba- 
tants, too,  of  the  powerful  minds,  are  not  prepared  to  come  in ; 
but  other  dear  brethren  are  with  us,  and  I  do  believe,  what  is  of 
all  things  most  important,  the  God  of  peace  and  love  is  with  us. 
He  has  helped  us  in  our  difficulties,  cheered  us  in  our  trials,  and 
strengthened  us  to  stand.    .  .  . 

Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

It  pleased  God  within  a  few  days  to  fulfill  the  antici- 
pation expressed  in  his  previous  letter,  of  special  trials  to 
be  expected  by  those  who  were  leaders  in  a  work  of  love. 
On  Feb.  11,  while  on  his  way  to  a  Committee  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance  in  London,  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  thrown 
out  of  his  carriage  by  meeting  a  cart  loaded  with  bricks 
to  build  a  Roman  Catholic  Chapel,  at  Old  Hall  Green  ;* 

*  It  is  due  to  the  gentlemen  of  that  establishment,  to  notice  the  courteous 
visit  of  inquiry,  which  two  of  them  were  sent  to  make  after  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth's  health,  on  hearing  of  the  accident,  and  the  circumstances  which  occa- 
sioned it. 


FALL  FROM  HIS  CARRIAGE. 


281 


fell  under  the  wheel  of  another  that  was  passing  in  the 
opposite  direction,  and  which  passed  over  the  lower  part 
of  his  body,  crushing  him  very  severely.  For  two  or 
three  weeks  his  life  was  in  imminent  danger;  and  one  of 
the  smaller  bones  in  his  leg  was  doubly  fractured.  Some 
extracts  of  a  journal  kept  during  his  illness,  will  give  a 
more  vivid  impression  of  the  trial,  and  of  the  special  grace 
and  consolation  with  which  he  was  accompanied  : — 

"  February  8,  Sunday.  Our  dear  father  preached  twice 
on  the  words — '  Grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
our  Lord  and  Savior.'  His  mind  was  so  full  of  the  bles- 
sedness of  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  that  we  said,  in  com- 
ing home,  he  never  seemed  so  near  heaven  before. 

"  February  11,  Wednesday.  Papa  left  home  at  seven 
for  a  Committee-meeting  of  the  Alliance.  After  prayers, 
E.  was  called  out  to  speak  with  a  poor  woman.  She  said 
to  her,  '  Your  father  has  got  hurt — thrown  out  of  the 
chaise — the  back  of  his  head  is  cut,  but  not  much ;  and 
I  heard  them  say,  his  feet  are  the  worst.'  While  we 
pondered  how  best  to  tell  dear  Mamma,  she  came  in  and 
told  us  she  knew  all,  having  learned  it  herself  from  the 
messenger. 

"  Mr.  Dalgleish  had  received  the  account  before  us,  and 
while  his  carriage  was  got  ready,  came  to  relieve  us,  by 
telling  us  he  was  going  to  bring  him  back  immediately. 
We  had  a  prayer  together.  After  an  hour  and  half  the 
carriage  drove  up  quickly.  It  was  with  difficulty  they 
lifted  him  out,  and  three  men  supported  him  up  stairs, 
but  he  fainted  and  nearly  threw  them  down.  They  lifted 
him  into  bed,  and  Mr.  D.  gave  him  a  strong  cordial,  and 
waited  anxiously  to  see  its  effects,  for,  though  he  did  not 
tell  us,  breathing  was  suspended,  and  he  feared  that  all 
was  over. 

"  After  a  few  minutes  he  breathed,  and  said,  '  Sarah.' 
Mamma  hastened  to  him.  '  Praise  God  that  I  am  pre- 
served !' — and  then  to  us,  '  The  Lord  is  very  good,  dear 
children.' 

"Active  means  were  used  to  restore  warmth,  but  the 


282  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

pain  was  racking,  and  for  some  time  every  breath  was  a 
groan.  Calling  one  of  us  to  him  he  said — '  Good  and  up- 
right is  the  Lord.  You  see  I  thought  I  was  to  serve  the 
Lord  in  London,  now  I  am  to  serve  Him  here  in  suffer- 
ing.' He  then  said,  smiling,  '  The  Lord  is  very  good, 
dear  H.  I  was  just  thinking  myself  very  important,  that 
they  could  not  do  without  me  in  London,  and  now  I  am 
to  be  taught  another  lesson.  You  have  all  to  praise  God.' 
While  he  was  trying  to  sleep,  and  groaning  with  pain,  he 
whispered  to  us,  '  Praise  the  Lord.'  He  added  soon  after 
— '  There  is  much  to  praise  for,  much  to  profit  by,  and 
much  to  be  submissive  under.  I  am  all  sores  and  bruises 
— I  can  lie  nowhere  in  peace:  that  is  a  picture  of  the 
state  of  the  soul.  From  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the 
sole  of  the  foot  there  is  no  soundness ;  but  wounds,  and 
bruises,  and  putrefying  sores.'  When  we  repeated  to  him 
Psalm  xlvi.  he  added,  '  The  Lord  is  my  salvation  and  my 
healing.' 

"Constant  fomentation  and  incessant  calls  of  friends  and 
parishioners  filled  up  the  day ;  the  fullness  of  sympathy 
has  been  most  refreshing.  In  the  midst  of  his  pain  he 
remembered  his  little  godchild's  birth-day  (Miss  L.  Smith) 
and  dictated  the  following  note. 

My  dear  Lucy, 
I  have  not  forgotten  that  this  is  your  birth-day,  though  I  am 
sorry  to  say  I  have  met  with  an  accident  in  being  thrown  out  of 
my  gig,  which  confines  me  to  my  bed,  so  that  one  of  my  chil- 
dren writes  for  me. 

I  shall  not  forget  to  pray  that  God  will  give  you  His  holy 
Spirit,  and  help  you  to  love  Jesus  very  much,  and  to  try  and 
please  Him  in  being  very  obedient  to  your  dear  parents. 

Your  affectionate  god-papa, 

E.  BiCKERSTETH. 

"  Our  dear  father  was  in  great  danger  all  that  night. 
(Mr.  D.  said  afterward  that  he  feared  every  hour  he  should 
have  to  break  the  tidings,  that  mortification  had  begun, 
and  the  case  was  hopeless.)    He  seemed  aware  of  it,  for 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


283 


in  the  whispered  prayer  on  his  lips  we  caught  the  words 
— '  The  Lord's  will  be  done,  if  I  recover,  or  if  I  go  hence.' 
When  suffering  much  from  the  bruises  in  the  night,  he 
said — '  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was 
bruised  for  our  iniquities.'  The  extreme  pain  allowed 
him  only  an  hour's  sleep,  after  taking  an  anodyne.  .  .  . 

"  As  soon  as  we  heard  of  the  accident,  we  sent  a  letter 
to  the  Committee,  to  account  for  his  absence,  and  all  the 
members  present  united  in  prayer  for  him.  Sir  Culling 
came  down  the  following  night,  and  could  scarcely  speak 
to  us  for  grief  when  he  came  in. 

"  The  whole  of  Thursday  the  pain  scarcely  abated. 
Our  dear  father  speaks  only  of  mercy.  '  All  is  well ;  the 
Lord  is  full  of  grace.'  When  told  of  the  repeated  and 
hourly  inquiries,  he  said,  '  The  sympathy  of  my  family 
and  my  friends  has  been  more  overwhelming  than  the 
accident.'  '  I  have  not  a  grain  of  the  medicine  too  much,' 
was  his  remark  when  he  saw  us  distressed  by  his  suffer- 
ings. He  had  formed  many  engagements  for  work,  and 
we  had  to  write  to  five  different  quarters  to  say  that  he 
could  not  fulfill  them. 

"  Saturday.  Still  not  out  of  danger.  Mr.  D.  fears  the 
formation  of  an  abscess,  which  might  prove  fatal.  At 
night  E.  came  from  Cambridge,  and  left  on  Monday  with 
a  lightened  heart,  thankful  to  have  spent  a  little  time  in 
that  chamber  which  is  indeed,  as  our  dear  father  calls  it, 
'  A  chamber  of  light  and  love,  and  peace  and  praise.'  " 

On  Monday  he  seemed  slowly  recovering,  and  dictated 
the  following  letter  to  the  London  Committee  of  the 
Alliance. 

From  my  sick-room,  Watton  Rectory. 
My  dear  Brethren  in  the  Lord, 
I  can  not  but  be  grateful  to  our  merciful  Father,  and  to  you, 
that  as  soon  as  you  heard  of  my  dangerous  accident,  in  that 
brotherly  and  sympathizing  spirit  which  has  hitherto  distinguish- 
ed all  our  meetings,  you  united  at  once  in  prayer  for  my  recovery. 
This  comfort  of  love,  this  fellowship  of  spirit,  will  be  our  great 
support  in  the  trials  and  difficulties  of  our  most  blessed  work.  I 


284  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


have  had  opportunities,  in  the  seclusion  of  a  sick-room,  of  review- 
ing the  way  in  which  we  have  been  led,  and  the  objections  made 
to  our  efforts,  as  well  as  the  difficulties  which  impede  those  who 
are  most  friendly  to  us,  and  I  am  only  the  more  confirmed  that 
we  are  walking  in  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  would  have  us 
walk  ;  and  if  He  give  us  grace  to  proceed  in  patience,  forbear- 
ance, wisdom,  and  love,  we  shall  have  a  blessing  beyond  our 
largest  hopes.  It  is  so  peculiar  a  privilege  and  honor,  to  have 
been  early  and  prominently  engaged  in  this  work  of  love,  and  it 
is  likely,  if  prospered  of  God,  to  be  recompensed  with  uuch  full 
spiritual  blessings,  that  those  who  are  thus  circumstanced,  as  all 
the  history  of  the  Church  teaches  us,  must  expect  to  pass  through 
peculiar  trials,  and  some  even  be  laid  aside  lor  a  time  ;  that  the 
Lord  may  show  more  distinctly,  it  is  not  their  work,  hut  Fis,  and 
we  may  all  rejoice  the  more  to  give  undivided  glory  to  Hi?  great 
name. 

The  delicacies  and  difficulties  experienced,  not  only  between 
the  different  sections,  but  within  almost  every  section  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  in  this  matter,  are  just  what  wo  ought  to  have  ex- 
pected, had  we  comprehensive  knowledge  of  each  other's  situation. 
They  call  for  continual  forbearance  in  love  on  all  sides.  The 
more  we  can  be  forgiving  and  forbearing  toward  one  another,  the 
more  we  can  bear  one  another's  burdens,  the  more  we  can  exhibit 
the  meekness  and  gentleness  of  Christ,  in  our  dealings  with  each 
other's  infirmities  and  ignorances,  the  more  speedy,  the  moro 
happy,  and  the  more  peaceful,  will  be  the  triumph  of  loi  e. 
While  the  more  we  clothe  ourselves  with  mailed,  impenetrable 
armor,  in  a  fancied,  perfect,  and  minute  system  of  theology, — 
though  it  be  really  Scriptural,  and  seek  to  maintain  it  only  by 
controversy,  in  the  prominent  urging  of  our  respective  peculiarities, 
the  more  difficult  we  shall  find  it  to  arrive  at  the  fullness  of 
Scripture  truth,  as  well  as  to  come  together  in  love  in  the  far 
greater  things  in  which  we  are  agreed.  Not  that  I  would  call 
on  any  one  to  suppress  what  he  believes  to  be  truth  ;  but  if  the 
spirits  of  the  prophets  are  subject  to  the  prophets,  it  is  clear  that 
we  need  not,  at  all  seasons,  and  never  except  in  that  spirit  of 
faith  and  love,  meekness  and  fear,  which  our  Divine  Pattern  jus- 
tifies and  demands  from  blind  and  erring  creatures,  urge  what  we 
believe  to  be  a  part  of  God's  truth,  revealed  to  our  own  minds,  in 
•adiich  we  differ  from  those  we  believe  to  be  our  brethren.  The 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


285 


law  of  love,  also,  is  to  receive  as  a  brother,  him  that  is  weak  in 
the  faith,  but  not  to  doubtful  disputations.  .  .  . 

Thankful  indeed  shall  I  be,  if  my  trials  and  helplessness,  and 
lengthened  hours  on  the  bed  of  languishing,  should,  among  the 
innumerable  family  and  local  blessings  already  given,  be  also 
honored  of  God  to  the  furtherance  of  Christian  union  and  love, 
among  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity.  If  the  Lord 
should  raise  me  up,  as  I  trust  He  will  do  after  some  weeks,  may 
He  enable  me  to  give  myself  more  wisely,  more  lovingly,  and 
more  heartily,  with  you,  to  the  attaining  that  manifested  oneness 
of  the  people  of  God,  which  has  never  yet  been  fully  realized,  ex- 
cept in  the  truly  primitive  Church  of  Christ. 

The  God  of  love  and  peace  be  with  you,  and  guide  all  your 
deliberations  to  His  glory,  and  the  furtherance  of  this  manifested 
unity. 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

11  February  16.  Twenty-five  answers  to  letters  of  sym- 
pathy and  love  were  sent  off  to-day.  His  pain  drives 
away  sleep,  except  from  anodynes,  but  his  great  refresh- 
ment is  a  verse  of  Scripture.  I  read  John  xiii.  at  his  re- 
quest, and  he  added  a  beautiful  prayer ;  first  for  himself, 
that  if  it  were  God's  will  to  restore  him,  he  might  be  a 
fuller  blessing  to  all  in  his  works,  publications,  &c. ;  then 
for  dear  Mamma  and  ourselves,  that  we  might  obtain 
fuller  spiritual  blessings  through  this  trial,  and  that  God 
would  enrich  us  with  more  faith,  love,  hope,  and  experi- 
ence; thanking  Him  above  all  that  He  had  made  us  one 
in  Christ,  near  to  Him,  and  thus  nearer  to  each  other, 
of  one  mind,  and  the  same  spirit;  then,  he  earnestly 
sought  God's  blessing  on  sympathizing  relatives  and 
friends,  and  especially  for  the  parish,  and  the  Evangelical 
Alliance. 

"  While  he  prays  for  others,  God  gives  others  a  heart 
to  pray  for  him.  To-night  a  hundred  of  the  parishioners, 
of  their  own  accord,  met  in  the  school-room  to  pray  for 
him, — a  cheering  earnest  of  his  recovery. 

"  February  19. — Thursday.    Through  mercy  the  alarm- 


286  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ing  symptoms  are  removed,  and  our  dear  father  scarcely 
suffers.  The  privileged  night-watchers  have  a  chapter, 
prayer,  and  sometimes  a  hymn  with  him,  in  the  morning. 
I  never  saw  any  thing  like  his  deep  humility.  He  did 
not  sleep  so  well  last  night,  but  told  us  he  had  quite  as 
much  as  his  best  Friend  saw  good  for  him.  We  expressed 
a  wish  he  had  slept  better ;  he  added,  1  The  only  safe 
wish  is,  that  the  will  of  God  may  be  done.'  Every  morn- 
ing brings  a  multitude  of  letters  of  sympathy.  Those  of 
some  of  his  Dissenting  friends  in  the  Alliance  are  full  of 
affection,  and  he  often  blesses  God  for  having  taken  a 
step,  which  has  unsealed  so  many  springs  of  love  to  him. 
This  post  brought  one  from  Mr.  Stewart  full  of  comfort." 

On  Friday  morning,  amid  the  restlessness  which  followed 
a  sleepless  night,  he  dictated  the  following  letter. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Smith, 

0  what  thanks  to  God  I  owe,  more  than  I  can  utter  or  express, 
for  all  His  mercies  to  a  poor  sinful  creature,  graciously  vouchsafed 
in  this  most  blessed  trial.  His  goodness  has  overflowed  on  every 
side,  and  you  must  allow  me  to  speak  good  of  His  name,  and  to 
testify  of  some  of  His  loving-kindness. 

When  I  look  at  the  way  in  which  my  poor,  dear  people,  in  their 
trials,  are  often  left,  who  am  I,  that  God  has  made  me  to  differ  ? 
A  precious  wife,  whose  watchful  care  and  love  has  been  my  joy 
and  relief  for  more  than  thirty-three  years,  has  been  strengthened 
to  be  my  constant  nurse.  My  three  dear  daughters  have,  by 
turns,  day  and  night,  anticipated  and  supplied  every  want,  and 
been  spiritual  as  well  as  temporal  comforts.  Our  skillful  friend, 
Mr.  D.,  has  always  provided  the  best  remedies ;  and  sufferings 
and  weariness  have  literally  been  swallowed  up,  in  the  tide  of 
loving-kindness,  flowing  in  from  all  quarters.  It  may  show 
something  of  this,  that  one  hundred  and  twelve  letters,  in  reply 
to  expressions  of  sympathy,  have  gone  forth  from  the  Rectory, 
only  in  the  last  five  days. 

But  all  this,  in  itself,  might  be  empty  and  vain,  and  serve  only 
to  the  exaltation  of  the  flesh.  Blessed  be  God,  He  is  making 
my  trial  fruitful  in  good  to  others,  and  first  to  my  own  dear  flock. 
He  has  enabled  my  beloved  son-in-law  to  improve  the  occasion 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


287 


for  their  best  good.  They  have  of  themselves  had  repeated 
prayer-meetings,  which  are  described  to  me  as  peculiarly  earnest 
and  affecting.  Joyfully  would  I  suffer  far  more,  for  a  revival  of 
religion  among  them. 

But  yet  further,  that  most  blessed  object,  which  it  was  the 
design  of  my  journey  to  further,  is,  through  the  mercy  of  God, 
far  more  promoted  by  my  suffering  through  it,  than  if  I  had  been 
permitted  to  give  my  presence  and  counsel.  It  has  called  forth 
most  touching  manifestations  of  sympathy  and  love  from  faithful 
ministers  of  other  denominations.  0  what  fields  of  unopened 
blessedness  the  Lord  has  in  store  for  His  people  !  Without  the 
least  thought  of  mine,  prayers  were  offered  for  me  in  more  than 
a  hundred  churches  and  chapels  in  London.  Is  not  this,  my  dear 
friend,  true  Christian  union  ?  Oh,  when  the  restraints  are  re- 
moved from  all  the  Josephs  of  the  brotherhood  throughout  the 
land,  what  gushes  of  endearment  and  affection  will  be  realized  ! 
Is  it  not  a  singular  mercy  that,  before  the  Lord  returns  in  glory, 
He  should  give  His  people  such  fresh  fountains  of  love  ?  0  taste 
and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good  !  It  is  my  hearty  prayer  to  Him, 
that  you  may  have  a  rich  experience  of  the  same  goodness.  You 
are  also  encompassed  by  the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  in  a  spe- 
cial degree,  and  oh,  may  He  give  you  the  joy  of  seeing  this  lov- 
ing-kindness full  of  spiritual  profit,  in  the  wide  sphere  which  He 
has  called  you  to  fill. 

Especially  it  is  my  prayer,  that  your  earnest  longings  for  the 
spiritual  health  of  your  dear  children  may  be  so  gratified,  that 
your  songs  may  have  to  burst  forth  continually,  in  gratitude  to 
God.  Oh,  let  us  live,  not  to  ourselves,  not  even  to  our  families, 
but  to  J esus ;  and  we  shall  then  live  best  to  ourselves,  and  for 
our  families,  forever. 

My  kind  remembrances  to  Mr.  Smith.  Much  have  I  thought 
of  him  also  during  these  trying  sessions,  so  peculiarly  trying  to 
him.  .  .  .  But  the  Lord  reigneth,  that  is  enough  for  us  all.  Still 
pray  for  me,  for  without  Jesus  I  am  nothing. 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

On  Monday  the  23d,  when  he  seemed  still  advancing 
to  recovery,  he  dictated  the  following  paper  to  his  chil- 
dren. 


288 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  Gracious  indications  of  the  Divine  goodness  and  loving-kind- 
ness, connected  ivith  the  accident  of  Feb.  11,  1846. 

"  My  mind  had  been  oppressed  with  the  great  amount 
of  public  duty  to  which,  for  many  weeks  and  months,  the 
Lord  had  been  calling  me.  The  difficulties  of  that  blessed 
Society,  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  had  been  multiplying, 
though  the  happy  effects  of  it  were  becoming  more  and 
more  apparent  to  those  who  had  formed  it. 

"It  seems  the  Lord's  plan,  that  those  who  are  called 
to  peculiar  service  for  our  heavenly  Master,  must  pass 
through  humiliation  and  trial ;  and  especially  where  the 
work  is  consolation,  union,  and  love,  that  they  themselves 
must  be  sufferers.  It  appears  to  me  that,  to  accomplish 
great  ends  of  personal  sanctification,  meekness  for  the 
Master's  service,  capability  of  being  useful  to  others,  and 
particularly  of  being  a  blessing  to  my  family,  to  my  parish, 
to  my  evangelical  brethren  in  the  Church,  and  especially 
to  the  cause  of  manifested  oneness  of  the  people  of  God, 
it  was  important  that  some  providential  trial  of  a  marked 
character  should  occur,  if  the  Lord  should  favor  me  with 
one  great  object  of  my  desires,  to  be  a  large  blessing  to 
my  fellow-men.  This  providence  was  just  of  that  charac- 
ter. It  was  so  marked  and  public,  that  it  was  brought 
into  the  public  journals ;  it  was  known  immediately  to 
the  London  Committee  of  the  Alliance,  whence  it  has 
spread  rapidly  through  the  country.  It  is  just  the  provi- 
dence which  goes  so.far  to  accomplish,  through  the  Lord's 
grace  helping,  which'  may  He  grant  for  His  Son's  sake,  all 
the  benefits  which  my  circumstances  required.  I  have  a 
bruised  body  that  confines  me  to  my  couch ;  but  there 
has  been  no  concussion  of  the  brain  to  impede  my  mental 
faculties.  It  is  also  a  singular  mercy  that  this  occurred  so 
near  home,  so  that  I  was  brought  here  within  a  few  hours, 
to  receive  those  rich  blessings  which  the  Lord  by  this  afflic- 
tion has  been  pouring  upon  me.  By  His  mercy  I  have 
enjoyed  the  constant  care  of  a  skillful  medical  adviser,  of 
my  beloved  and  most  tender  and  affectionate  wife,  and  of 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


289 


three  dear  daughters  who  have  felt  it  their  privilege  to 
watch  over  me  with  unwearied  love. 

"  The  blessing  to  my  people  will  not,  I  trust,  be  small ; 
they  have  gathered  together  in  increasing  numbers  to 
remember  their  minister  before  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
to  intercede  for  the  continued  light  of  the  Gospel  in  this 
place.  The  Lord  make  any  sufferings  of  mine  turn  to 
their  good,  and  it  will  be  joy  indeed. 

"  The  streams  of  love  from  relations  and  friends  have 
come  in  with  a  gush  of  kindness  quite  overwhelming, 
when  I  consider  my  personal  weakness  and  unprofitable- 
ness. 

"  Especially  endearing  and  refreshing  have  been  those 
from  members  of  the  Alliance  of  other  denominations ; 
showing  me  from  what  streams  of  loving-kindness  we  are 
turning  away,  in  turning  from  our  Dissenting  brethren. 
.  .  .  How  good  the  Lord  has  been,  to  give  such  precious 
tokens  of  brotherly-kindness,  and  such  spiritual  blessings, 
at  so  small  a  personal  sacrifice !  He  did  not  give  me  into 
the  hand  of  Satan,  to  do  as  that  adversary  would,  but  just 
to  do  that  which  He  saw  would  bring  the  richest  bless- 
ings. My  hope  is,  that  as  St.  Paul's  imprisonment,  which 
apparently  might  have  damped  the  zeal  of  friends,  and  so 
have  impeded  the  Gospel,  through  the  grace  of  God  made 
them  more  confident  and  bold  to  speak  for  Christ,  so  my 
trial,  incurred  in  going  to  the  work  of  the  Alliance,  may 
perhaps  make  my  brethren  more  willing  to  come  to  its 
support."  ^ 

The  three  next  days  were  a  time  of  increasing  danger, 
and  growing  anxiety,  from  the  return  of  inflammation,  and 
the  severe  shock  to  the  whole  system.  The  private  jour- 
nal continues  as  follows. 

"  Thursday,  February  26.  At  three  A.  M.  he  said  to 
Mrs.  B. — 1 1  think  it  right,  dear,  to  tell  you,  that  though  I 
got  through  the  accident,  I  do  not  think  I  shall  get  over 
this.'  She  had  hitherto  kept  up,  but  now  her  heart  quite 
sunk  within  her.    When  Mr.  D.  came  up,  he  confirmed 

vol.  n. — N 


290 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


all  lier  fears,  and  soon  after  set  off  to  London  for  Sir  B. 
Brodie.  The  inflammation  increased  frightfully,  and 
spread  rapidly  upward.  Since  Tuesday  morning  he  has 
eaten  almost  nothing.  He  was  calm  and  peaceful,  but 
very  solemn,  and  called  me  to  read  Psalm  lxii.  Seeing 
my  distress,  he  directed  me  to  the  words,  '  only,'  and  '  at 
all  times.'  He  dictated  the  following  letter  to  the  village 
prayer-meeting." 

From  my  sick-room. 

My  dear  praying  People, 
I  bless  God  who  has  given  you  grace,  thus  to  unite  in  prayer 
for  me.  Such  an  affliction  as  this  calls  for  great  searchings  of 
heart,  both  in  you  and  me.  Blessed  be  God,  I  feel  fully  assured 
tli at  the  great  truths  I  have  preached  to  you  have  been  those 
truths  of  the  word  of  God,  which  will  judge  us  in  the  day  of 
Christ.  But  I  mourn  before  God  innumerable  defects,  omis- 
sions, and  negligences ;  the  blood  of  Jesus  is  my  only  hope.  I 
pray  God,  my  dear  people,  that  you  may  also  be  led  to  much 
self-examination  and  prayer,  as  to  how  you  have  received  the 
truth.  0  be  sure,  nothing  but  the  word  of  God  will  do  to  build 
your  hopes  upon,  and  nothing  but  a  sound  conversion  of  heart 
will  answer  at  the  last.  Make  sure  work,  I  entreat  you,  in  the 
one  thing  needful,  the  salvation  of  your  never-dying  souls. 
Whether  the  Lord  will  raise  me  up  or  not,  I  know  not ;  but  the 
great  Shepherd  ever  liveth,  and  to  Him  I  commit  you  day  by  day. 
From  the  sick-bed  of 

Your  affectionate  pastor, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  He  then  bade  E.  write  to  Mrs.  Smith,  and  tell  her  it 
had  been  a  great  comfort  to  him  to  think  that,  if  the  Lord 
were  pleased  to  take  him,  Mr.  Smith  would  certainly  pro- 
vide a  faithful  pastor  for  his  people.  In  the  afternoon, 
after  another  severe  attack,  he  fell  back  fainting.  We 
all  gathered  round  him,  and  he  said — '  If  I  were  not  sure 
that  the  Lord  is  good,  I  should  be  so  grieved  to  be  troub- 
ling you  all  thus.'  Mamma  said — '  God  will  be  with  you 
and  support  you.'  '  Oh  !  for  myself  I  am  quite  sure  it  is 
all  good,  for  Thou,  Lord,  in  very  faithfulness  hast  afflicted 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


291 


me.  It  is  you,  love,  of  whom  I  spoke ;  but  if  it  be  God's 
will  that  I  should  sink  under  this,  He  will  support  you.' 
Again  he  said  to  H. — 'It  is  the  Gospel  that  supports  me 
now.    Jesus  is  my  only  hope.' 

"  B.  and  T.  drove  over  by  half-past  four,  but  he  was  so 
weak  they  did  not  see  him  at  first.  When  T.  came  in, 
papa  said,  '  I  have  been  thinking  of  that  sweet  text — "  I 
die,  but  God  shall  be  with  you."  Yes,'  he  answered,  '  but 
there  is  another  sweet  text — "  I  shall  not  die,  but  live,  and 
declare  the  works  of  the  Lord."  Yes,'  he  replied  with  a 
calm,  but  feeble  voice,- — that  is  very  true  ;'  plainly  mean- 
ing that  he  felt  the  will  of  the  Lord  to  be  the  best, 
whether  for  life  or  death.  He  said  again  to  Mamma — :<  If 
any  thing  happen  to  me,  God  will  be  your  support.'  And 
soon  after  to  B. — '  I  have  had  no  shaking  of  my  peace  ; 
but  if  the  Lord  permitted,  Satan  could  buffet  me.'  He 
asked  them  for  Psalm  li.,  and  after  a  few  minutes  added 
— '  The  Lord  is  my  salvation ;  I  will  trust,  and  not  be 
afraid.' 

"  The  people  are  very  anxious ;  the  door  is  besieged 
with  inquirers.  A  voluntary  prayer-meeting  of  two  hun- 
dred parishioners  seemed  a  pledge  of  an  answer  in  mercy, 
and  encouraged  us  to  hope.  .  .  . 

"  March  3d.  A  most  affectionate  letter  from  Lord 
Ashley,  and  another  from  Mr.  Stewart,  mentioning  the 
earnest  prayers  of  many  brethren  at  Liverpool.  These 
and  many  others  of  the  same  kind,  fill  his  heart  with 
love  and  gratitude,  which  overflow  in  words  of  praise  and 
letters  of  thanksgiving.  When  one  of  us  said — '  This 
has  been  a  week  of  trial,'  he  replied,  1  It  has  been  a  week 
of  full,  rich  mercies.'  He  dictated  the  following  to  Mrs. 
Smith : — 

Glory  be  to  God  !  What  a  flow  of  mercies  have  I  been  en- 
joying for  the  last  three  weeks.  My  expositions,  just  before  my 
accident,  were  on  the  Apostle's  desire  to  depart,  and  willingness 
to  stay  ;  and  how  good  the  Lord  has  been,  in  giving  me  some- 
thing of  the  same  blessed  state  of  mind  !    And  now  there  seems 


292 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


every  prospect  of  the  same  issue,  my  being  raised  up  for  the  ser- 
vice of  His  people.  Thanks  to  you  for  all  your  kindness  !  If  the 
giving  a  single  cup  of  cold  water  does  not  fail  of  a  reward,  a  cup 
of  cream,  every  morning  and  evening,  will,  I  am  sure,  be  remem- 
bered by  Him  we  love  and  serve. 

How  far  beyond  our  thoughts,  how  deep,  how  comprehensive, 
is  the  wisdom  and  loving-kindness  of  our  God  !  I  had  thought 
of  great  scenes  of  usefulness,  in  active  exertions  for  my  blessed 
Master.  He  says,  "  No,  I  will  lay  you  aside,  and  teach  you  bet- 
ter, that  you  may  be  fitted  for  my  service."  My  friends  had 
thought,  "  Our  minister  gives  too  much  time  to  the  Church  at 
large,  he  should  give  himself  wholly  to  the  parish."  The  Lord 
seems  to  say,  "  I  will  take  him  wholly  from  you  for  a  time,  that 
you  may  gladly  see  him  surrender  some  of  his  time  to  the  work 
of  Christ  at  large,  and  yourselves  and  the  whole  parish  obtain 
a  richer  blessing  in  his  enlarged  usefulness."  I  only  desire  to 
know,  suffer,  and  do,  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Master,  and  be  the 
joyful  and  spiritual  father  of  many  spiritual  children,  who  shall 
be  my  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  Christ.  .  .  . 

With  kindest  regards  to  Mr.  Smith,  believe  me, 

Most  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

His  mind  is  again  busy  with  schemes  of  usefulness. 
His  "Divine  Warning"  was  now  just  completed;  and  he 
was  much  interested  with  distributing  it  in  quarters  where 
he  thought  its  stirring  message  was  needed.  He  is  busy, 
too,  in  looking  over  the  "  Expositions  on  John  and  Jude," 
and  penciling  alterations  for  the  press.  He  has  begun 
also  to  read  a  little  the  fourth  volume  of  Merle  D'Au- 
bigne's  History,  and  Dr.  McNeile's  "  Church  and  the 
Churches." 

"  March  7.    This  day  he  dictated  the  following  letter : 

My  dear  praying  People, 
Through  the  mercy  of  God,  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  many, 
I  am  going  on  most  favorably.  On  Thursday  last  week,  I  almost 
thought  the  Lord  was  calling  me  home  ;  but  now  I  hope  yet 
again  to  preach  the  glorious  gospel  to  you.  I  shall  now  be  your 
minister  in  a  double  sense,  not  only  appointed  by  the  providence 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


293 


of  God,  through  my  beloved  patron,  whose  aim  in  fulfilling  his 
trust  has  always  been  the  best  welfare  of  the  parish,  but  also  the 
minister  of  your  own  asking  from  the  Lord.  May  it  be  the  token 
of  a  revival  of  grace  among  us,  and  of  more  rich  and  abundant 
blessings  in  my  ministry.  .  .  . 

I  am  anxious  to  bring  before  you,  for  your  prayers,  my  choice 
of  a  fellow-laborer.  Earnestly  pray  that  the  Lord  may  guide  me 
to  choose  one,  who  will  be  a  true  yoke-fellow  to  me,  and  a  con- 
stant blessing  to  yourselves.  The  prayer-meetings  lead  me  to 
the  sweet  hope,  that  my  dear  people  will  hereafter  be  more  per- 
fectly joined  together  in  one  spirit  ;  and  so  exhibit  at  home, 
what  has  been  so  much  laid  on  my  heart,  the  oneness  of  all  who 
love  Christ  truly.  I  really  hope  God  is  about  to  give  a  large 
growth  to  this  blessing  in  His  Church.  Your  minister  has  taken 
a  very  open  part  in  promoting  it.  0  that  his  dear  flock  may 
help  him  by  their  prayers,  and  by  their  example  in  forwarding 
this  blessed  work  ! 

Nothing  more  expresses  my  feelings  at  this  time  than  Psalm 
ciii.  It  just  describes  how  good  the  Lord  is,  and  has  been  to  me. 
The  principles  I  have  preached  to  you,  I  have  found  every  day 
powerful  to  sustain  and  comfort  me  in  the  time  of  trial.  I  can 
well  recommend  them  to  you,  and  say,  "  0  taste  and  see  that 
the  Lord  is  good  ;  blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  Him."  Let 
me  however  specially  commend  to  you  Rom.  xii,  as  that  which 
peculiarly  adorns  these  principles.  The  source  of  them  is,  the 
Lord  Jesus,  our  only  and  complete  Savior.  My  heart  clung  to 
such  passages  as  these  :  "  Look  unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved."  "  Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 
May  Jesus  be  all  in  all  to  every  one  of  you,  prays 

Your  affectionate  pastor, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  March  19.  Our  dearest  father's  birth-day — a  day  to 
be  long  remembered.  It  was  like  a  jubilee  of  thanks- 
giving for  his  restoration.  He  had  a  little  family  service 
of  praise  with  us,  and  in  hearty  prayer  he  commended 
each  and  all  of  us  to  God ;  praying  that,  as  in  God's  provi- 
dence his  illness  had  been  made  so  public,  and  such  full- 
ness of  sympathy  and  affection  had  been  received  from  all 
quarters,  we  might  not  pervert  these  gifts  of  love,  to 


294 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


nourish  pride  and  self-conceit,  but  receive  all  the  spiritual 
benefits  designed  by  the  trial. 

"  April  25,  Saturday.  Our  father's  first  lecture  on  the 
close  of  Matt.  xiv.  The  room  and  the  passage  leading  to 
it  were  crowded." 

On  May  3,  after  eleven  weeks'  silence,he  preached  once 
more,  and  his  subject  was  the  practical  benefit  of  trials, 
from  Acts  xiv.  22,  23.  The  impression  made  on  those 
about  him  was  thus  described  in  a  letter  written  just  after 
leaving  his  sick-room : — 

He  has  been  so  lively,  so  earnest,  so  confiding,  so  genuine,  and 
his  conscience  so  tender  !  First,  he  saw  nothing  but  love  even  in 
trial.  All  was  right ;  no  pain,  no  weariness  too  much.  Then  he 
seemed  quite  afraid  lest,  in  the  abundance  of  mercy  he  should 
forget  that  it  was  meant  as  a  humbling  chastisement.  I  can  not 
but  think  his  light, will  shine  more  brightly  than  it  had  ever  done 
before.  Mamma  almost  trembled  to  see  him  so  ripe  for  glory.  I 
felt  rather  that  an  especial  work  is  before  him.  The  union  of  the 
Ghurdh  is  to  be  brought  out  by  a  mutual  recognition  of  the  badge 
of  union,  loving  holiness  ;  and  the  man  appointed  to  be  a  leader  in 
this  task,  must  bear  the  badge  most  prominently.  It  was  no  intel- 
lectual training  that  he  wanted,  but  soul-quickening  trials.  It  was 
no  work  on  baptism,  no  exposition  of  prophecy,  he  was  about  to 
write.  These  he  has  accomplished  without  any  special  exercises 
to  prepare  him  ;  but  when  the  loving  work  of  union  is  to  be  pro- 
moted, even  this  fruitful  bough  must  be  purged,  that  it  may  bring 
forth  more  fruit.  Oh  that  we  were  more  like  him  !  Our  religion 
seemed  so  superficial  by  his  bedside  ;  he  little  knew  what  an  un- 
dertone of  reproof  there  was  in  his  whole  conduct,  while  so  full 
of  love. 

The  marks  of  deep  sympathy  from  all  parts  of  the 
Church,  elicited  by  his  illness,  were  most  touching  and 
beautiful.  Out  of  a  multitude  of  letters,  there  may  be 
given  one  from  the  Committee  of  the  Church  Missionary 
Society,  another  from  one  of  the  most  honored  servants 
of  Christ  among  his  dissenting  brethren  in  the  Alliance, 
and  another  from  his  beloved  and  honored  friend,  Dr. 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


295 


McNeile.  The  last  of  these,  beside  its  interest  in  itself,  led 
to  a  reply  no  less  interesting. 

March  11,  1846. 

My  very  dear  Friend  and  Brother, 

I  have  received  with  deep  emotion  the  affectionate  letter  which 
you  have  sent  to  me.  I  yesterday  read  it  to  the  Committee,  and 
it  is  in  their  name,  as  well  as  my  own,  that  I  write  to  assure  you 
of  our  sincerest  Christian  sympathy  with  you  and  your  family, 
under  the  dispensation  with  which  our  heavenly  Father  has  visited 
you.  We  humbly  thank  Him  for  the  abundant  mercy  which  He 
has  remembered  in  the  midst  of  judgment ;  and  we  fervently 
pray  that  He  may  continue  and  confirm  this  mercy  to  your  family, 
and  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  by  your  restoration  to  health  and 
strength  ;  so  that  you  may  yet  be  enabled,  by  future  labors,  to 
animate,  to  direct,  and  to  strengthen,  as  in  former  years,  your 
brethren  in  the  Lord. 

One  especial  mercy  we  recognize,  in  that  the  Lord  has  made 
you,  by  this  very  event,  the  object  of  abundant  prayer  throughout 
His  Church  at  home  and  abroad  ;  and  these  prayers  will  avail 
much,  to  procure  enlarged  blessings  upon  your  own  soul,  and 
upon  the  many  great  works  with  which  your  labors  have  been 
associated.  Among  these  works  we  rejoice  to  regard  this  Society 
as  standing  in  the  first  place.  The  joy  which  you  describe,  with 
which  you  contemplate  the  work  of  the  Society  under  your  pres- 
ent circumstances,  is  a  cheering  testimony  to  its  Divine  character ; 
and  if  such  be  the  blessedness  of  being  associated  with  it  below, 
what  will  be  the  joy  in  the  presence  of  our  blessed  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter above — when  our  labors  are  ended — when  multitudes  from 
all  parts  of  the  heathen  world  rejoice  with  us  before  the  throne, 
and  before  the  Lamb  ! 

May  these  refreshing  views  still  comfort  your  heart  in  your 
present  confinement,  and  may  they  animate  and  quicken  us  to 
renewed  exertions.  Continue,  rny  beloved  brother,  your  prayers 
for  us,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  us,  and  that 
He  may  be  glorified,  even  by  the  weakness  and  infirmities  of  our 
labors. 

Ever  in  the  best  Christian  bonds,  very  affectionately  yours, 

Henry  Venn. 


296 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Edgbaston,  March  3. 
My  beloved  and  venerated  Brother  in  Christ  Jesus 
our  Lord, 

....  I  can  not  refrain  any  longer  from  conveying  to  you  the 
assurance  of  my  tender  and  prayerful  interest  in  your  present 
situation,  and  future  recovery.  With  what  deep  concern  I  heard 
of  your  accident,  as  we  call  it,  He  is  witness,  who  alone  knows 
how  much  I  love  you,  and  how  much  I  glorify  Christ  in  you  ; 
and  with  what  gratitude  I  praised  Him  for  the  preservation 
of  your  invaluable  life,  which  seemed  in  such  imminent  peril, 
my  congregation  can  testify.  Never  was  public  prayer  presented 
by  them  more  fervently  for  the  restoration  of  any  one,  except  in 
the  case  of  their  own  pastor,  when  his  life  seemed  trembling  in 
the  balance.  Thanks  to  the  God  of  all  power  and  grace,  dearly- 
beloved  servant  of  our  common  Lord,  that  in  your  case  has 
been  exemplified  the  truth  of  David's  words  in  their  true  im- 
port :  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  His 
saints,"  which  evidently  means,  that  God  does  not  readily  allow 
His  servants  to  die,  but  watches  over  them  as  a  rare  thing, 
which  He  values  and  protects.  So  has  it  been  in  your  case ; 
and  so,  I  trust,  it  will  be.  With  our  Divine  Lord,  the  source 
of  all  life,  all  power,  all  wisdom  and  grace,  at  the  head  of 
His  church,  and  the  helm  of  the  world,  I  dare  not  say  of  any 
human  instrument — "  We  can  not  do  without  Him,"  but  as 
far  as  I  can  with  propriety  say  this,  I  say  it,  dear  sir,  of  you, 
in  reference  to  our  glorious  cause  of  Christian  union  Oh  what 
an  affliction  is  it  to  me,  that  we  shall  not  see  you  in  Birming- 
ham !  With  this  however  we  may  be  content,  now  that  you 
are  likely  to  be  spared  to  us  for  future  service,  and  spared 
with  all  the  new  treasures  acquired  in  the  purifying  process 
of  affliction.  Yes,  honored  and  beloved  brother,  we  shall  love 
you  more,  and  see  more  in  you  to  love  than  ever,  even  as  we 
shall  love  Christ  more,  not  only  for  forgiving  you,  but  now  for 
sparing  you  to  us.  The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit.  Believe 
me  to  be.  what  you  have  owned  me  in  public, 

Your  Brother  in  Christ, 

J.  A.  James. 

Liverpool,  March  6. 

My  dearest  Bickersteth, 
Occupied  as  I  am,  I  must  not  attempt  to  express  to  you,  either 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


297 


my  deep  anxiety,  on  hearing  that  your  dear  brother  was  gone  to 
see  you,  or  my  relief  on  hearing  his  report  when  he  returned. 
You  have  been  in  our  thoughts  of  love,  and  our  prayers,  I  trust, 
of  faith,  ever  since  it  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  intimate  to  you, 
and  through  you  to  us,  that  He  is  independent  of  human  instru- 
ments. 

It  is  a  blessed  thing  to  be  willing  to  labor  for  Him.  I  sincerely 
believe  it  is  even  more  blessed  to  be  willing  to  be  laid  aside.  He 
doeth  all  things  well.  The  most  advanced  in  His  service  and 
likeness  require  more  advancement  still ;  and  if  through  a  stroke 
that  lays  us  low,  He  convey  the  sweet  voice  which  says — "  Come 
up  higher,"  oh  how  exquisitely  well  done  it  will  appear  in  the 
light  that  shall  make  all  things  manifest  !  For  the  last  few 
months  I  have  felt  deeply  the  pain  of  publicly  differing  with  you 
in  any  thing.  Since  your  hurt,  this  pain  has  been  increased. 
But  indeed,  dearest  Bickersteth,  it  is  inevitable,  since  the  more  I 
meditate  and  pray  over  our  present  circumstances,  the  more  I  am 
convinced  that  your  ardent  and  loving  spirit  will  meet  with  a  dis- 
tressing disappointment  in  the  issue  of  the  Alliance.  That  even 
this,  should  my  worst  fears  be  realized,  will  be  o  verruled  as  a  great 
blessing  to  your  own  soul,  I  can  not  doubt ;  since  there  is  nothing 
but  good  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  happiness  of  His  Church, 
in  your  intentions. 

Well,  our  love  to  one  another  requires,  perhaps,  this  test  of  its 
sincerity,  that  it  can  live,  and  breathe,  and  pray,  with  undimin- 
ished warmth,  through  the  uncongenial  season  of  a  dark  and 
cloudy  day.  The  mists  will  soon  be  dispersed,  and  we  shall  see 
eye  to  eye,  when  the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion.  May  the  Com- 
forter, in  the  mean  time,  strew  your  couch  with  the  soft  sweet 
flowers  of  patience,  gathered  under  the  cross,  and  greet  your 
ears  with  strains  of  joy,  which  are  not  very  far  off! 

Dear  love  to  your  family,  and  thanks  to  your  sweet  child  for 
her  notes  to  me.    I  shall  long  for  another.    Yours  in  Him, 

Hugh  McNeile. 

To  this  beautiful  letter,  which  alone  was  a  sign  of  the 
real  difficulties  besetting  that  work  to  which  his  own  heart 
was  so  powerfully  drawn,  Mr.  Bickersteth  dictated  the 
following  characteristic  reply : 


298 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Watton  Rectory,  March  y. 

My  beloved  McNeile, 

Glory  be  to  God,  all  is  going  on  well  in  my  poor  body,  and  I 
hope,  in  my  soul.  My  whole  soul  was  touched  by  your  most 
brotherly,  tender,  and  consoling  letter,  and  never  in  my  life  has 
my  heart  been  knit  closer  to  you. 

It  may  indeed  be  asked,  How  can  those,  who  have  equally 
sought  the  Lord,  come  to  such  opposite  conclusions  in  so  impor- 
tant a  point  ?  But  we  are  both  partially  blind,  and  partially  sin- 
ful ;  and  so  the  Lord  in  part  only  shows  us  His  truth  in  the  mat- 
ter. Yet,  I  doubt  not,  from  Rom.  xiv.,  even  in  our  differences  we 
are  equally  accepted  of  Him. 

"We  can  not  be  wholly  disappointed  in  this  work  of  love  ;  we  have 
already  tested  so  largely  the  comfort  of  love,  the  fellowship  of 
spirit,  the  consolation  in  Christ,  as  constrain  us  amid  all  difficul- 
ties to  go  on, — against  hope,  to  believe  in  hope,  casting  ourselves 
hour  by  hour  Upon  the  Lord,  who  can  bring  us,  through  all,  to  the 
largeness  of  the  blessing  we  seek. 

But  I  am  anxious,  dearest  brother,  that  the  difference  should 
be  for  the  greater  good  of  our  own  Church.  I  believe  no  Church 
on  earth  possesses  more  objective  truth  than  our  own  beloved 
Church.  We  are  far  too  ready  to  boast  of  this,  but  I  believe  it  to 
be  our  duty  to  maintain  these  truths,  in  wisdom,  firmness,  and 
love.  We  must  not  yield  to  the  temptation,  to  which  our  divine 
Master  was  exposed,  of  casting  Himself  down  from  the  pinnacle. 
Here  we  are  one.  But  then,  dear  brother,  we  must  on  the  other 
hand  accept  the  punishment  of  our  sins  as  a  Church.  The  hard 
severities  against  Puritans  and  Papists,  till  the  grand  rebellion 
was  provoked,  gave  occasion  to  that  insurrection  on  all  sides 
against  the  laws  of  Christ,  of  patient  suffering,  and  victory  by 
faith  and  love,  and  overcoming  evil  with  good,  in  which  so  many 
godly  men,  of  deeper  piety  than  ourselves,  Were  led  astray. 

Instead  of  learning  wisdom  by  experienee,  our  forefathers  passed 
the  Act  of  Uniformity,  and  added  to  our  guilt  by  the  persecution 
of  the  Nonconformists,  and  were  themselves  punished  by  two  evil 
kings,  till  God  brought  about  the  revolution.  Still  we  learned  not 
wisdom  by  experience,  we  repented  not  of  our  sins,  and  our  Church 
sank  into  dead  formality.  God  then  gave  a  glorious  revival  in  the 
time  of  the  Wesleys  and  Whitfield  ;  but  instead  of  being  wel- 
comed, it  was  mocked  and  scorned,  till  there  was  no  room  in  our 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


299 


Church  for  the  faithful  men  who  began  this  work.  We  are 
reaping  the  bitter  fruit  of  three  centuries  of  sins.  It  .is  not  enough 
to  say,  our  Church  has  most  truth  to  present  in  its  constitution  to 
the  people  of  England.  The  Lord  may  well  say :  "  Look  at  your 
sins  in  the  appointment  of  bishops,  and  the  exercise  of  patronage 
generally.  See  tens  of  thousands  in  your  parishes,  and  under  the 
appointed  ministry,  starving  for  want  of  the  bread  of  life.  I  have 
called  other  faithful  men  to  the  ministry,  to  help  to  supply  this 
need.  I  have  given  to  them  also  precious  gifts  of  my  own  Spirit, 
important  truth  to  testify  souls  to  their  ministry,  and  a  large  pro- 
portion of  my  Church  in  England  is  now  to  be  found  among  them. 
I  have  indeed  divided  the  land  for  the  Church  of  England,  but  I 
have  given  them  also  a  legal  sanction  for  their  worship  in  every 
rarish  in  that  land  "  Thus,  my  dearest  brother,  the  Church  of 
England  is  not  the  whole  Church  of  Christ  in  England.  It  prob- 
ably was  so  once  ;  and  but  for  our  sins,  particularly  the  way  in 
which  the  Act  of  1662  was  passed,  and  our  own  Church  sins, 
it  might  to  a  great  extent  have  been  so  now.  Now  you  aim  to 
bring-  our  whole  country  to  this  state  of  unity.  But  my  view  is, 
that  though  we  should  aim  at  this  in  the  way  of  truth,  forbear- 
ance, and  love,  we  must  also  humble  ourselves  before  God  for 
our  exceeding  church  sinfulness,  which  has  prevented  our  dissent- 
ing brethren  from  recovering  the  light  of  truth  which  we  really 
enjoy,  and  has  (for  with  them  also  there  are  many  sins)  engaged 
their  zeal  even  directly  against  what  we  believe  to  be  the  truth 
of  God. 

Our  disunion  is  our  weakness.  Now  what  I  wish  from  you, 
dear  brother,  is,  that  you  should  be  God's  voice,  calling  the 
Church  of  England  to  true  repentance  for  three  centuries  of  sins  ; 
that  you  should  charge  home  on  the  present  generation  all  these 
sins;  that  you  should  obtain,  by  prayers  from  God,  and  by  mani- 
festation of  the  truth,  from  men,  frank  confession,  deep  humilia- 
tion, and  tender  forbearance  toward  others,  because  of  our  own 
exceeding  sinfulness. 

I  would  further  suggest  that  our  repentance  for  our  sins,  as  a 
Church,  should  be  proved,  by  leading  us  to  humble  ourselves  be- 
fore God,  in  joyfully  acknowledging  their  call  of  God,  their  min- 
istry, their  gifts,  and  their  success,  and  thanking  Him  that,  not- 
withstanding our  unfaithfulness,  He  has  carried  on  His  precious 
work,  of  gathering  His  elect  from  our  land,  even  by  those  who 


300 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


are,  as  we  believe,  in  many  things  defective  laborers  ;  if  indeed 
we  may  say  so  of  so  many,  who,  like  Baxter  and  Owen,  Watts  and 
Doddridge,  Benson,  Hall,  Fuller,  and  Watson,  have  by  their  writ- 
ings profited  the  whole  Church  of  Christ.  We  ought  to  cultivate 
intercourse  and  kindness  with  them,  as  Archbishop  Sancroft  so 
sweetly  recommended.  All  this  may  be  done  most  effectually, 
even  by  those  who  do  not  join  the  Alliance,  and  now  is  the  time 
for  you,  dear  brother,  to  do  it. 

Having  done  this,  I  further  want  you  to  be  the  spring  of  a  union 
of  all  the  Evangelical  brethren  in  our  Church,  in  an  avowed  and 
decided  opposition  to  Tractarianism,  to  secularity,  and  all  Infidel 
perversions  of  the  gospel.  Let  the  true  ministers  of  Christ  in  the 
Church  combine.  Let  them  have  an  organ  like  the  Christian 
Penny  Magazine,  among  the  Dissenters,  and  of  which,  by  ar- 
rangement with  faithful  ministers,  half-a-million  a  month  might 
be  circulated  for  the  diffusion  of  sound,  interesting,  Protestant 
and  Church  truth,  and  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  forbearance  to  all 
who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity.  Thus  should  we  be  work 
ing  together,  in  different  sections  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  to  o- 
common  end. 

I,  equally  with  you,  view  John  xvii.  23,  as  only  to  be  accom- 
plished at  the  return  of  the  Lord  ;  but  it  is  the  ideal  at  which  we 
are  to  be  aiming;  as  "  Thy  kingdom  come,"  is  an  ideal  at  which 
we  aim  in  missions. 

Farewell,  my  dearest  brother  ;  the  Lord  forbid  you  should  use 
your  powerful  mind  and  your  deep  piety,  against  Christian  union. 
The  Lord  use  you  very  greatly,  for  His  glory,  and  the  good  of 
His  Church. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The.  following  were  liis  remarks  in  his  journal  on  the 
trial  through  which  he  had  now  passed,  and  his  merciful 
recovery. 

"  April  12.— Easter-Day.  Very  remarkable  have  been 
the  dispensations  of  Providence  with  me  in  the  last  two 

months  For  some  time  I  was  in  great  danger,  and 

for  two  months  I  have  been  confined  to  my  room,  and 
kept  from  all  public  duty. 

"Now  what  was  the  special  design  of  my  God  in  this 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


301 


affliction  ?  How  may  I  most  profit  by  it  ?  Besides  those 
rich  mercies  which  I  have  received,  doubtless  there  was 
a  message  of  instruction  to  my  soul.  See  what  thy  life 
is,  a  vapor !  Live  as  on  the  borders  of  eternity !  Be 
bold  and  decided  for  God  and  His  truth,  while  thou  hast 
time.  Count  the  cost  of  aiding  such  a  work  as  the  Alli- 
ance, and  the  sufferings  to  which  it  may  expose  thee! 
Be  specially  careful  that  this  be  not  a  lost,  but  a  sancti- 
fied affliction ! 

"  I  have  been  especially  awakened  with  seeing  how 
God's  most  eminent  servants,  after  deliverance  from  afflic- 
tion, fell  into  sin — Noah,  David,  Hezekiah,  and  others. 
O  Lord,  I  shall  do  the  same,  if  Thou  leave  me  to  myself. 
Leave  me  not,  I  beseech  Thee ;  sanctify  all,  uphold  me 
to  the  end,  nor  for  one  moment  forsake  me.  In  the  time 
of  need  and  trial  let  help  be  given. 

"A  further  trial  has  arisen,  from  the  illness  of  my  dear 
child  F.  at  Torquay,  of  a  nature  so  serious,  that  she  can 
not  be  removed  home,  and  two  of  her  sisters  are  obliged 
now  to  be  with  her.  We  know  not  what  may  be  the 
Lord's  will  concerning  her ;  and  the  separation,  distance, 
and  suspense,  have  been  distressing  to  us  all.  The  will 
of  the  Lord  is  wise,  and  kind,  and  good ;  we  need  the 
whole.    May  this  also  be  sanctified !" 

The  notes  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  his  absent  children, 
from  his  sick  chamber,  breathe  all  the  fragrance  of  sanc- 
tified affliction.  The  first  of  those  which  follow  was  dic- 
tated, while  he  was  still  unequal  to  the  effort  of  writing. 

February  17. 

My  beloved  Children, 
At  first  I  grieved  you  should  have  to  partake  in  our  distress ; 
but  when  I  considered  that  it  is  only  in  this  way  we  arrive  at 
the  fuller  joy,  and  how  blessed  the  oneness  of  our  family  has 
been,  1  am  sure  that  this,  like  every  thing  else  in  our  trials,  is  full 
of  choice  goodness  and  loving-kindness.  Our  sympathies  are  now 
transferring  to  Torquay.  The  Lord  fill  each  with  heavenly  con- 
solation and  peace.    Dear  F.  is  in  the  same  kind  hands,  which 


302  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


have  blessed,  and  will  bless  even  to  the  end.  The  rich  fruits  of 
this  affliction  are  springing  up  on  all  sides.  ...  As  to  myself, 
I  have  now  no  pain,  but  ten  thousand  comforts  and  blessings, 
which  humble  me  in  the  dust,  while  they  fill  me  with  joy  and 
gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all.  All  is  well,  all  will  be  well,  now 
and  forever. 

Your  own  Papa, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

March  24. 

My  beloved  F. 

I  know  not  whether  you  can  even  bear  to  have  a  father's  let- 
ter read.  But  I  have  full  joy  that  the  Lord  has  chosen  you  in 
the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  that  He  is  good,  and  will  be  found 
by  you  "  a  stronghold  in  the  day  of  trouble."  Our  daily  and 
almost  hourly  prayers  are  poured  out  for  you,  and  to  Him  we 
continually  commit  you,  my  child,  who  from  your  birth  have 
been  so  dear  and  precious  to  us. 

April  6. 

My  beloved  Children, 

Truly  affecting  to  us  were  your  letters  this  afternoon.  Our 
beloved  child's  sufferings  go  to  our  hearts,  and  we  can  only  bow 
in  submission  to  our  heavenly  Father's  wisdom  and  love,  who 
assuredly  orders  all  this  trial  for  our  child's  good,  as  well  as 
our  own.  We  know  we  deserve  severer  chastisement,  and  we 
know  that  this  chastisement  is  full  of  loving-kindness.  Be  of 
good  courage,  then,  my  children ;  wait  on  the  Lord  still,  in 
faith  and  patience,  and  we  shall  yet  see  His  tender  mercies.  It 
is  our  greatest  trial  that  we  can  not  be  personally  present  with 
our  beloved  child,  and  minister  to  her ;  but  all  this  is  also  or- 
dered, and  we  feel  grateful  that  she  has  such  help,  and  is  in 
the  dwelling  of  such  tender  sympathizing  friends. 

Tell  my  dearest  child  that  her  work  is  now,  simply  looking  to 
Jesus,  as  the  Israelite,  bitten  by  fiery  serpents,  looked  to  the 
brazen  serpent  on  the  pole.  So  looking,  so  trusting  in  the  dying 
Savior,  no  malice  of  Satan,  no  mental  darkness,  no  want  of 
preparation,  can  hinder  her  sure  and  complete  salvation.  Should 
we  not  meet  at  Watton,  which  yet  we  would  pray  and  hope  for, 
happy  as  our  home  has  been,  it  is  nothing  to  that  far  happier 
home,  in  which  we  shall  shortly  meet  and  dwell  forever.  Let 


CONSEQUENT  ILLNESS. 


303 


our  affections  be  more  set  on  things  above,  and  all  these  severe 
trials  will  be  rich  in  spiritual  fruit. 

I  thank  God  for  the  wisdom  given  to  my  children.  ...  I  doubt 
not  He  will  yet  give  grace  for  every  exigency  ;  only  let  us  speak 
good  of  His  name,  and  glorify  Him 

We  grieve  that  Sir  C.  and  Lady  E.  are  involved  so  painfully 
in  our  afflictions,  but  the  Lord  grant  in  it,  even  to  them,  richer 
and  fuller  blessings,  and  mercies,  as  I  doubt  not  that  He  will, 
and  may  it  be  so  ordered,  if  it  be  His  will,  that  they  may  not 
suffer  further  for  all  their  love. 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

April  14. 

My  beloved  F. 

So,  my  dearest  child,  it  pleases  the  Lord  to  show  His  love  to 
you,  by  severe  sufferings  and  trials  of  darkness,  and  keeping  you 
at  a  distance  from  your  dear  home,  and  precious  parents,  and 
beloved  family  ;  and  you  have  to  spell  out,  by  faith,  His  tender 
goodness,  and  His  loving-kindness,  in  these  dark  signs. 

This,  my  sweet  child,  is  the  privilege  and  glory  of  faith,  to 
see  love  in  these  things ;  and  when  they  come,  to  lift  up  our 
heads,  assured  that  they  are  tokens  of  faithful  and  covenant  love. 

An  eternity  of  glory  is  worth  a  momentary  affliction  ;  nay,  the 
suffering  of  the  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us.  But  we  are  always 
fancying  this  is  our  home,  when  it  is  only  the  passage  thither  ; 
and  that  here  is  the  time  of  rest,  when  it  is  only  the  time  of 
preparation  for  the  true  rest. 

Especially  be  careful  here,  not  to  mistake  darkness  for  sin,  and 
the  effect  of  disease  for  any  thing  wrong  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord.  This  would  be,  to  think  your  food  and  medicine,  sent  in 
love  from  God,  were  the  poison  of  Satan.  Oh  no,  my  child,  it  is 
because  the  Lord  loves  you,  and  would  have  you  quite  meet  lor 
His  presence,  that  He  sends  these  trials,  according  to  His  own 
precious  word.     1  Pet.  i.  3—9. 

This  is  perhaps  as  much  as  you  can  bear,  and  I  will  write  the 
rest  to  your  sisters. 

Your  most  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


304  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


April  18. 

My  dearest  Children, 

Thanks  be  to  our  good  and  gracious  God  for  the  better  tidings. 
We  know  that  my  dearest  ones  are  in  the  Lord's  hands ;  we 
would  obey  His  commands,  and  rejoice  with  trembling ;  but  we 
have  sweet  confidence  in  leaving  all  with  Him,  assured  that  He 
will  order  all  for  good. 

I  wish  you  now  to  rejoice  with  us  in  the  overflowing  goodness 
of  God,  in  providing  for  our  temporal  wants.  .  .  .  You  see 
how  God  has  graciously  made  up  all  our  expenses  of  this  year, 
and  will,  I  trust,  be  strengthened  in  your  faith  and  confidence, 
that  the  God  of  love  will  ever  provide  for  His  children.  Who 
can  tell  all  the  goodness  of  our  God,  or  all  His  ways  of  love  ! 
How  abundantly  we,  as  a  family,  have  experienced  His  loving- 
kindness  !    Let  us  ever  praise  His  name. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

A  letter  to  his  son  at  college,  during  his  recovery,  con- 
tains his  sentiments  on  a  work  which  was  then  attracting 
much  attention,  and  has  continued  probably,  to  exert  a 
powerful  influence  on  many  minds. 

My  beloved  Edward,  March  21- 

I  have  just  got  from  my  bed  to  the  sofa,  and  through  the  rich 
mercy  of  God,  go  on  favorably  every  day.  His  mercies  have 
been  great  indeed,  and  specially  sweet,  as  given  in  answer  to  so 
many  prayers. 

I  have  been  reading  Arnold's  Life  with  considerable  interest, 
but  I  feel  that  there  are  very  weighty  objections,  to  hinder  its 
solid  usefulness. 

His  ignorance  in  Theology  is  really  great,  with  all  his  claims  to 
study  and  knowledge  ;  and  this  has  begot  a  rashness  and  pre- 
sumption of  judgment,  full  of  self-conceit  and  imagined  superi- 
ority, and  seeking  to  put  down  those  who  differ  from  him,  whether 
Puseyites  or  Evangelicals,  by  harsh  words,  such  as  priestcraft, 
fanatics,  men  of  narrow  minds,  bibliolaters,  and  the  like.  The 
acquirements  of  sixty  years,  instead  of  his  limited  studies,  would 
never  justify  such  railings ;  and  so  he  was  left  to  fall  into  infi- 
delity about  Daniel,  and  into  many  rash  speculations  about 
Church  and  State. 


HIS  RECOVERY. 


305 


But,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  a  frankness  and  thorough 
honesty  ;  there  is  a  real  devotion,  there  is  genuine  piety,  there  is 
a  kind,  affectionate  spirit ;  and  so,  not  being  an  evil  man  and  a 
seducer,  he  did  not  wax  worse  and  worse,  ^ut  better  and  better, 
and  his  last  days  were  his  best  days.  His  great  glory  is  his 
bringing  Christian  principles  into  schools,  and  training  up  the 
young  as  immortal  beings.  God  honored  him  as  His  servant 
tor  this. 

May  you,  my  dearest  son,  be  guarded  against  what  is  evil  in 
this  work,  proving  all  things  by  the  word,  and  "  holding  fast  that 
which  is  good."  Your  .affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  return  of  his  beloved  child,  after  a  time  of  suspense 
and  danger,  and  the  close  of  his  own  illness,  are  thus 
noticed  in  his  journal  of  May  30. 

"The  Lord's  mercies  have  been  very  great  to  us.  My 
dear  child  has  been  brought  home  in  safety,  though  she 
suffered  greatly  on  the  journey.  And  now  I  hope  again 
to  go  to  the  Lord's  table,  after  being  absent  nearly  four 
months,  and  with  my  people  to  remember  the  Lord's  sac- 
rifice of  Himself  for  our  sins. 

"  0  let  me  not,  0  my  God,  be  slothful  in  business,  but 
fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Let  me  not  be  sloth- 
ful in  prayer,  but  pray  without  ceasing. 

"  The  love  of  Christian  friends  has  been  very  great.  O 
Lord,  make  me  a  blessing  to  them,  I  entreat  Thee  ! 

"My  'Family  Expositions  on  John  and  Jude'  have 
just  left  the  press.  The  Lord  prosper  even  this  feeble 
effort  for  good.  In  none  of  my  works  do  I  take  pains 
enough  to  make  them  permanently  useful.  Eccles.  xii. 
9-11. 

"  0  Lord,  assist  me  for  all  the  weighty  duties  that  now 
again  come  upon  me ! " 

At  the  beginning  of  the  month,  when  his  recovery  was 
almost  complete,  he  wrote  to  the  Secretaries  of  the 
Alliance,  expressing  his  thanks  for  the  sympathy  of  his 
beloved  brethren,  and  his  hopes  for  the  cause  which  now 
engaged  his  heart,  amid  its  many  difficulties. 


306 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Watton  Rectory,  May  5. 

My  dear.  Friends, 
I  have  gratefully  to  acknowledge  your  kind  sympathy  in  my 
restored  health,  and  especially  your  prayers  for  my  future  useful- 
ness. I  believe  it  to  f>e  the  highest  and  greatest  of  the  beati- 
tudes to  be  among  the  peace-makers ;  and  I  rejoice  in  the  thought 
of  again  being  employed,  with  beloved  brethren  in  Christ  of  all 
denominations,  holding  the  Head,  our  one  Savior  Christ,  in  pro- 
moting that  blessed  object.  But  we  have  all  seen  that,  like  our 
blessed  Master,  in  whose  glorious  titles  the  Prince  of  Peace  seems 
the  last  and  highest  (Is.  ix.  6),  in  being  peace-makers  we  shall 
have  to  be  sufferers,  and  that  even  beloved  brethren  will  be 
afraid  of  our  proceedings,  and  oppose  us.  Yet  if  God  give  us 
grace  to  persevere  in  prayer,  and  real  love  to  the  brethren  and  to 
all  men,  I  feel  assured,  notwithstanding  all  the  many  predictions 
to  the  contrary,  from  those  who  do  not  join  us,  our  Heavenly 
Father  will  greatly  own  our  efforts  to  heal  the  divisions  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  and  to  restore  the  first  brotherly  love  of  Chris- 
tians. What  a  glorious  consummation  of  our  best  desires  will 
this  be  ! 

Gratefully  and  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  came  forth  from  the  retirement  of  his 
sick  chamber,  nut  only  with  increased  zeal  in  the  cause 
of  Christian  union,  to  which  he  felt  that  the  Providence 
of  God  had  specially  called  him,  but  with  those  spiritual 
perceptions  deepened,  which  made  him  keenly  alive  to 
the  dangers  of  the  church,  and  to  the  need  of  incessant 
watchfulness  against  the  besetting  evils  of  the  day. 
These  feelings  are  apparent  in  the  following  letters.  The 
first  relates  to  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  Irish  Church, 
and  the  other  to  the  proposed  change  in  the  Newfound- 
land School  Society,  which  took  effect  at  the  time,  but 
has  been  reversed  after  an  experience  of  its  practical 
evils. 

Watton  Rectory,  May  5. 

My  dear  , 

Since  I  sent  you  my  short  note,  I  have  received  your  affecting 
letter  about  the  Evangelical  body  in  Ireland.    I  fear  there  is  too 


HIS  RECOVERY. 


307 


much  truth  in  it,  as  a  general  representation  of  our  present  state, 
and  it  is  the  very  thing  which  renders  the  trials  that  are  mani- 
festly before  us,  so  needful.  We  have  sunk  into  the  spirit  of  the 
world,  and  so  our  faith,  and  boldness,  and  zeal,  have  all  lan- 
guished, and  Popery  and  Puseyism,  and  infidelity  and  lawlessness, 
rise  up  on  all  sides  to  punish  us.  0  that  men  could  be  brought 
more  to  prayerful  study  of  the  Scriptures,  to  retired  duties,  to  lean 
only  on  the  Lord,  and  not  on  an  arm  of  flesh !  . 

The  temporary  triumph  of  ungodliness  seems  close  at  hand. 
It  is,  in  my  view  of  the  Scriptures,  rapidly  joined  with  the  Lord's 
return,  and  the  rapture  of  the  saints.  Let  us  make  it,  then,  our 
constant  and  great  aim,  at  every  cost,  and  sacrifice,  to  be  ap- 
proved of  Christ,  and  accepted  in  His  sight  at  His  appearing. 
The  Alliance  is,  I  feel  assured,  a  work  entirely  accordant  with 
His  mind  ;  and  in  confessing  it,  and  adhering  to  it  in  a  right 
spirit,  I  fully  believe  we  are  approving  ourselves  in  His  sight. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Watton  Rectory,  June  5. 

My  dearest  , 

I  had  not  heard  of  the  proposed  extension  of  the  Newfoundland 
School  Society,  with  the  concession  of  a  license  being  requisite  for 
the  schoolmasters. 

I  am  sure  that  these  are  not  times  in  which  such  a  license  can 
be  safely  conceded  to  the  Colonial  Bishops  by  the  Society.  Neither 
the  general  feeling  of  the  evangelical  contributors  to  the  Society, 
nor  the  understood  principles  of  some  of  the  Colonial  Bishops, 
make  such  a  change  safe  or  prudent,  for  the  enlarged  usefulness 
of  the  Society. 

Why  should  we  revive  in  our  Colonies  the  77th  Canon,  which 
the  common  sense  of  England  has  sunk  into  disuse  in  our  coun- 
try ?  It  is  the  revival  of  an  injurious,  self-destructive,  and  im- 
practicable system,  which  looks  at  externals,  instead  of  looking  to 
the  power  of  Divine  truth,  in  the  living  experience  of  a  Christian 
life  and  Christian  teaching. 

Surely  there  is  much  greater  safety  to  the  subscribers,  that 
we  shall  have  faithful  men  of  God  under  it,  in  the  character  of  a 
known  Committee  at  home,  of  men  of  piety,  dependent  for  the 
continuance  of  the  work  on  the  confidence  and  love  of  true  Chris- 


308  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


tians.  I  have  rejoiced  to  support  the  Society  on  its  present  prin- 
ciples.   I  should  feel  trammeled  by  the  proposed  alteration. 

Affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

After  the  experiment  of  the  change,  here  deprecated, 
had  been  tried  for  a  few  years,  it  was  found  necessary  for 
the  Society  to  revert  to  its  original  constitution ;  and  it 
has  more  recently,  while  both  its  principles  and  its  object 
are  retained,  been  merged  in  the  Colonial  Church  and 
School  Society. 

Mr.  Bickersteth  had  not  long  been  raised  up  himself 
from  the  bed  of  sickness,  when  he  was  called  upon  to  per- 
form the  last  service  of  Christian  love  for  a  dear  and  be- 
loved brother.    He  alludes  to  it  thus  in  his  journal : 

"  July  25.  It  has  pleased  God  on  Tuesday,  July  14,  to 
take  my  beloved  brother-in-law,  Mayor,  to  himself,  in  the 
full  triumph  of  faith,  at  Acton,  near  Nantwich.  I  have 
seldom  heard  of  a  more  truly  peaceful,  holy  and  happy 
death.  He  wished  me  to  preach  his  funeral  sermons, 
and,  please  God,  I  am  to  do  so  on  August  the  2d.  May 
they  be  accompanied  by  the  power  of  God  to  the  salvation 
of  precious  souls.  He  has  left  my  dear  sister  a  widow, 
and  ten  children.  He  might  as  much  have  been  expected 
in  February  last  to  preach  my  funeral  sermon,  as  I  to  have 
preached  his.  Charlotte  Elizabeth  also  has  been  taken  to 
her  rest. 

"  Please  God,  I  go  to  Liverpool,  Coppenhall,  Acton, 
and  Bristol,  next  week  and  the  following.  The  Lord  give 
me  rich  blessings  in  all  the  work  to  which  He  calls  me, 
and  carry  me  through  all  to  His  glory,  and  the  good  of 
many. 

"  0  how  I  need  Thy  quickening  grace ;  else  every 
thing  is  dead  and  formal,  no  thirstings  after  God,  no  sense 
of  His  presence,  no  spiritual  desires  in  prayer,  no  lifting 
up  of  the  mind,  nothing  but  cold,  dull,  drowsy,  heavy 
form.  O  Lord,  deliver  me  from  this.  Give  me  unction, 
and  reality,  and  life, — a  real  communion  with  Thee,  a 


FUNERAL  SERMONS  FOR  MR.  MAYOR. 


309 


stirring  up  of  myself  to  lay  hold  on  Thee,  and  may  the 
Lord's  Supper  be  specially  blessed,  to  help  me  to  walk  in 
newness  of  life. 

"  Acton,  August  2.  I  preached  my  two  sermons  to  large 
congregations ;  that  in  the  afternoon  was  the  largest  they 
had  ever  seen  in  Acton  church  (1200  or  1300  people),  and 
they  were  most  attentive.  I  got  many  fresh  facts,  and  the 
sermons  are  to  be  printed." 

He  wrote  to  one  of  his  younger  children  on  this  journey, 
who  was  with  her  cousins  at  Liverpool — 

What  wonders  love  does  !  how  it  makes  every  house  a  palace, 
and  every  heart  where  it  fully  dwells,  a  little  type  of  heaven  ! 
The  Lord  give  it  to  us  abundantly  more  and  more  !  .  .  .  The 
Lord  bless  you,  my  love,  with  every  temporal  and  spiritual  bless- 
ing, and  grant  that  each  year  may  see  you  increasing  in  knowl- 
edge and  grace,  in  usefulness  and  happiness.  You  have  been 
a  great  source  of  comfort  to  your  parents,  and  I  trust  in  the 
Lord's  love  that  you  may  yet  have  much  happiness  in  each 
other,  while  spared  by  Him  in  this  world  of  change  and  tempta- 
tion— this  scene  of  our  constant  and  busy  preparation  for  eternity, 
and  the  very  seed-plot  of  our  future  harvest.  ...  It  is  beautiful 
to  see  how  much  grace  can  do  to  make  a  female  the  largest 
blessing  to  all  around  her — her  feelings,  like  the  flow  of  a  deep 
river,  with  an  unruffled  surface,  quietly  carrying  forward  a  full 
tide  of  blessings. 

In  the  same  month  he  thus  expressed  his  habitual  feel- 
ings, with  reference  to  some  suggestions,  on  Church  Re- 
form. 

I  am  not  disposed  to  lessen  much  the  incomes  of  the  Bisnops, 
when  I  see  the  nobleness  of  charity  in  which  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, the  Archbishop,  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  and  others,  have 
spent  theirs.  Their  multiplication,  however,  seems  very  desira- 
ble. I  would  not  deter  from  attempts  to  do  good,  by  my  own 
natural  incapacity  ,  but  I  feel  little  fitted  for  the  rough  work 
of  reforming  others,  and  shrink  from  it,  except  as  it  comes 
before  me  in  the  way  of  positive  duty.    After  all,  the  great 


310 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


spring  is  something  quite  different.  The  whole  Church  might 
be  thus  re-formed,  and  be  a  dead  form.  Extempore  prayer 
would  be  no  remedy  ;  the  Divine  Spirit  is  the  great  and  all-essen- 
tial Reformer. 

The  month  of  August  was  occupied  with  that  work  on 
which  his  heart  was  set  with  earnest  desire, — the  actual 
formation  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance.  Nearly  a  thou- 
sand Christian  brethren,  from  England,  Scotland,  and 
Ireland,  from  France,  Germany,  Switzerland,  and  the 
United  States,  besides  some  from  the  British  Colonies, 
were  gathered  together  in  London ;  and  their  meetings 
for  united  prayer  and  friendly  conference  lasted  fifteen 
days,  from  August  19  till  September  2.  It  was  naturally 
a  time  of  deep  interest  and  of  intense  excitement;  and 
though  several  difficult  questions  were  raised  in  the  pro- 
tracted discussions,  especially  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
which  alone  threatened  to  be  an  insuperable  difficulty,  the 
general  character  of  the  proceedings,  and  the  issue  of  the 
whole  conference,  were  causes  of  deep  thanksgiving  to  all 
those  who  desired  the  prosperity  of  a  work  of  love.  The 
services  of  united  praise  and  prayer  were  particularly  in- 
teresting and  solemn.  Mr.  Bickersteth  presided  at  the  first 
of  these,  and  took  an  important  part  in  the  whole  of  the 
business.  It  was  remarked  of  him,  and  of  two  or  three 
others  among  the  more  aged  leaders,  that  whenever  the 
Christian  tone  of  the  discussion  was  in  danger  of  being 
lost,  amid  the  necessary  details  of  business,  or  the  partial 
clashing  of  opinions,  their  rising  was  the  signal  of  its  in- 
stant recovery,  and  their  voice  a  watchword  of  holiness, 
peace,  and  love.  The  resolutions,  which  he  had  intro- 
duced at  the  second  Liverpool  Conference,  and  with 
which  his  name  is  honorably  connected  in  the  lips  of 
many,  as  "  Mr.  Bickersteth's  Resolutions,"  formed  one  of 
the  latest  parts  of  the  public  business,  and  may  perhaps  be 
viewed  as  the  practical  quintessence  of  the  whole  move- 
ment. 

He  wrote  toward  the  close  of  the  meetings  to  his  family 


TIIE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


811 


at  home — "God  has  been  graciously  with  us  in  the  most 
difficult  part  oi  our  meetings,  which  have  been  more  try- 
ing than  last  year,  but  I  think  may  have  even  a  fuller 
blessing.  Sir  Culling  has  conducted  our  business  with  his 
usual  judgment,  sweetness,  and  influence.  To  God  be  all 
the  praise.  The  devotional  and  loving  spirit  triumphed 
over  all  difficulties.  Such  days  I  hardly  expect  to  pass 
again  on  earth,  of  intense  interest  and  incessant  exer- 
tion." 

The  following  are  his  remarks  in  his  private  journal. 

"August  29.  I  have  been  engaged  for  the  last  three 
weeks  in  almost  incessant  labors,  in  the  formation  of  the 
Alliance,  and  I  trust  that  God  is  bringing  it  to  a  safe  and 
happy  conclusion  ;  though  there  are  many  difficulties  in 
the  way,  which  call  forth  Our  Christian  principles. 

"  Much  progress  has  been  made,  but  probably  another 
week  Avill  have  to  be  spent  in  prayerful  deliberation. 
My  soul,  bless  the  Lord,  for  being  permitted  to  take  part 
in  a  work  so  calculated  to  bless  the  whole  Church  of 
Christ. 

"  The  scenes  have  been  so  exciting,  prolonged,  intensely 
interesting  and  exhausting — that  private  devotional  exer- 
cises have  been  much  interfered  with.  The  Lord  pardon 
my  many  sins  and  infirmities,  use  and  accept  my  poor 
services,  and  grant  that  I  may  be  now  refreshed  and 
strengthened  at  llis  holy  table,  so  that  my  soul  may 
suffer  no  loss,  but  every  grace  be  quickened  and  en- 
livened." 

"September  26.  In  the  last  week,  Monday  was  occu- 
pied with  the  Herts  Lord's  Day  Observance  Society; 
Tuesday,  with  Committees  of  the  Alliance  in  London, 
and  journey  to  Norwich ;  Wednesday,  Norwich  Bible 
Meeting ;  Thursday,  two  Norwich  Jews'  Meetings  ;  Fri- 
day, Norwich  Evangelical  Alliance,  and  Norwich  Jews' 
Sermons ;  Saturday,  journey  home  and  Committee  Meet- 
ing on  the  way.  To-morrow,  God  helping,  the  Commu- 
nion and  Jews'  Sermon  at  Tewin  ;  Monday,  Hertford 
Jews'  Meeting ;  Tuesday,  Aylesbury  Jews'  Sermon  and 


312 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Meeting.  Thus  from  day  to  day  the  Lord  provides  work 
for  me  " 

"  October  24.  I  have  been  much  occupied  the  last 
month  in  preparing  '  A  Brief  Practical  View  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance.'  I  grieve  that  several  of  the  bishops 
have  spoken  against  it,  and  none  have  appeared  for  it. 
Unless  the  Lord  graciously  appear  for  us,  we  shall  fail  of 
our  hope,  at  least  to  the  extent  which  we  desire. 

"  The  way  in  which  those  who  have  taken  a  part  in  it 
have  been  called  to  pass  through  the  furnace,  is  instruct- 
ive. One  after  another  has  suffered.  The  American 
brethren,  one  part  shipwrecked  in  the  Great  Britain, 
another  in  fearful  peril  in  the  Great  Western.  One  has 
lost  a  wife,  another  been  disabled  by  sickness,  another  cast 
out  of  his  curacy.  May  we  count  the  cost,  and  take  up 
the  cross ! 

"  But  0  my  God,  where  is  my  heart  ?  where  is  the  in- 
ner temple,  cleansed  for  Thee,  and  sanctified  for  Thy  use  ? 
0  come  Thyself,  and  cleanse  the  thoughts  of  my  heart,  ex- 
pel every  thing  that  would  keep  Thee  out,  and  banish 
every  idol  from  my  soul !" 

"  November  29.  I  have  been  very  greatly  occupied  from 
home  last  month,  though  not  absent  on  Sunday.  One 
week  at  Manchester,  in  the  organization  of  the  Alliance  ; 
another  at  Cambridge  for  the  Female  Refuge ;  another  at 
the  Prophetical  Meeting,  and  preparing  an  Appeal  for  a 
special  fund  for  Ireland,  the  last  week  of  the  Alliance  Com 
mittee  in  London.    Glory  be  to  God  alone. 

"  Gracious  Father,  let  not  work  for  Thee  lead  my  soul 
from  Thee.  Thine  I  am,  Thee  I  rejoice  to  serve,  it  is  my 
privilege.  Give  me  not  less  work,  but  O  give  me  with  it 
all  a  constant  looking  to  Jesus  ! " 

Thus,  in  the  course  of  the  present  year,  in  the  suffer- 
ings and  perils  with  which  it  began,  and  the  labors  with 
which  it  continued  and  came  to  its  close,  the  words  of 
our  Lord  were  eminently  fulfilled  in  his  beloved  servant. 
"  Every  branch  in  me,  which  beareth  fruit,  He  purgeth  it, 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


313 


that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit."  And  the  fruit,  which 
he  brought  forth,  in  all  his  thoughts,  prayers,  and  labors, 
was  the  choicest,  sweetest,  and  ripest,  "  the  fruit  of 
righteousness,"  which  "  is  sown  in  peace  of  them  that 
make  peace." 

VOL.  II. — o 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


SPECIAL  APPEAL  FOR  IRELAND — FRENCH  REVOLUTION — 
CHURCH  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE. 

A.  D.  1847—1848. 

The  opposition  to  the  Maynooth  Bill,  among  the  great 
body  of  British  Christians,  who  loved  and  prized  the  Gos- 
pel, had  from  the  first  a  double  tendency.  That  spurious 
charity  which  thought  peace  attainable  by  setting  aside 
the  most  vital  distinctions  of  religious  truth  and  falsehood, 
had  triumphed  only  by  the  divisions  of  Protestant  Chris- 
tians. The  desire  was  thus  increased  for  a  purer  union, 
not  based  on  religious  indifference,  or  the  sacrifice  of  con- 
science even  in  lesser  things,  but  on  the  real  and  substan- 
tial agreements  of  Evangelical  Protestants  in  all  the  vital 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel ;  and  this  gave  birth  to  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance.  The  false  benevolence,  which  pretended 
to  heal  the  miseries  of  Ireland  by  an  ampler  supply  of 
Popery  at  the  expense  of  the  State,  called  ecpaally  for  vig- 
orous efforts  of  real  Christian  love,  in  a  more  earnest  diffu- 
sion of  the  Gospel,  the  only  true  remedy  for  Ireland's 
distress  and  moral  degradation.  This  conviction  gave 
rise  to  another  work,  in  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  also  took 
a  very  prominent  part,- — ■"  The  Special  Appeal  for  Ire- 
land,"— issuing  soon  afterward  in  the  Society  for  Irish 
Church  Missions. 

While  the  Maynooth  Bill  was  still  in  progress,  he  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  both  these 
objects, — the  closer  union  of  true  Christians,  and  direct 
labors  in  spreading  truth  among  the  Roman  Catholics  of 
Ireland.    In  May,  1845,  he  wrote  as  follows. 


SPECIAL  APPEAL  FOR  IRELAND. 


315 


"  I  feel  that  nothing  more  weighty  ought  to  be  on  our  minds, 
than  that  so  vast  a  religious  movement  should  have  a  right 
direction.  We  want  a  great  Protestant  Institute.  We  are  at 
present  placed  in  quite  a  false  position.  Really  loving  Ireland, 
and  because  we  love  it,  resisting  this  aggression,  we  are  brought 
before  men  of  the  world  as  resisting  conciliation,  full  of  bitter- 
ness, and  opposed  to  the  men  of  liberality  and  kindness.  We 
must  not  let  Satan  get  this  advantage  over  us,  by  perverting 
the  real  truth.  This  Institute  should  be,  to  receive  information 
on  the  institutions  now  in  existence  for  the  relief  of  the  temporal 
necessities,  and  promoting  the  spiritual  improvement  of  Ireland, 
to  circulate  that  information  through  the  country,  and  to  convey 
help  to  such  societies,  each  subscriber  to  appropriate  his  sub- 
scription to  such  of  these  objects  as  he  most  approves.  The 
word  of  God,  in  the  vernacular  languages,  to  be  circulated  with 
those  funds  which  may  be  left  at  the  free  disposal  of  the  Com- 
mittee. ...  I  have  written  in  haste,  and  amid  distraction  ;  but 
the  ideas  have  been  much  on  my  mind,  as  needful  to  give 
strength  to  our  resistance  of  the  Maynooth  grant,  and  to  place  us 
in  our  right  position,  by  legitimate  actings  for  Ireland,  that  will 
show  real  love." 

Circumstances  delayed,  for  a  little  time,  the  fulfillment 
of  a  duty,  which  was  already  felt,  by  Mr.  Bickersteth  and 
many  others,  to  be  alike  seasonable  and  important.  But 
the  providence  of  God  began  to  conspire  signally  with 
these  instincts  of  Christian  benevolence.  The  same  judg- 
ment which  blasted  the  hopes  of  worldly  politicians,  who 
had  sought  to  conciliate  by  the  sacrifice  of  truth  and 
righteousness,  opened  a  way  for  efforts  to  benefit  Ireland, 
for  a  purer  and  higher  kind.  The  measure  had  scarcely 
passed,  when  the  staple  food  of  the  island  was  turned  to 
rottenness,  and  famine  set  in  with  unparalleled  severity. 
The  distress  kept  increasing  throughout  the  year  1846, 
and  the  recurrence  of  the  evil,  in  a  second  harvest,  seem- 
ed to  fill  the  cup  of  Irish  misery.  All  the  resources  of 
government,  and  of  private  benevolence,  were  exhausted 
by  the  claims  of  millions,  reduced  to  utter  starvation. 
But  some  gleams  of  hope  appeared  amid  the  very  great- 


316 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ness  of  the  calamity.  The  famine  loosened  the  chains  of 
priestly  bondage.  The  sympathies  of  British  Christians 
were  rendered  deeper  and  more  intense,  by  the  awful 
spectacles  of  misery  spread  before  them.  The  alms  of 
Protestants,  which  were  dispensed  largely,  without  dis- 
tinction of  creed,  and  indeed  mainly  to  Roman  Catholics, 
since  Popery  and  poverty  went  hand  in  hand  in  Ireland, 
broke  down  a  vast  amount  of  religious  prejudice,  and 
thus  conspired  with  heavy  affliction  to  prepare  the  minds 
of  thousands  for  the  seed  of  Divine  truth.  While 
Englishmen,  in  general,  felt  the  plain  duty  of  relieving 
temporal  distress,  there  were  a  smaller  number  of  earnest 
Christians  who  saw,  in  this  visitation  of  God,  a  still 
louder  call  to  care  for  perishing  souls,  and  to  raise  them 
from  the  darkness  of  sin  and  superstition  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  religious  societies 
of  Ireland  were  all  crippled  by  the  famine,  at  the  very 
time  when  the  spiritual  necessities  of  the  country  were 
most  urgent.  The  cry  of  need  was  heard  plainly  from 
across  the  channel,  "Come  over  and  help  us!"  The  ser- 
vants of  Christ  assuredly  gathered,  that  the  Lord  was  call- 
ing them  to  new  efforts  in  that  land  of  trouble  and  sor- 
row, and  a  Committee  was  formed,  toward  the  close  of 
1846,  to  provide  "  a  Special  Fund  for  the  spiritual  exigen- 
cies of  Ireland.  " 

The  first  mover,  perhaps,  in  this  work,  and  certainly 
one  of  the  most  active  and  liberal  contributors,  was  the 
late  Enosh  Durant,  whose  mind  had  been  deeply  affected 
by  the  claims  of  Irish  Roman  Catholics  for  spiritual  in- 
struction. Mr.  Bickersteth  and  Mr.  Dallas  were  very  early 
associated  with  him,  and  while  the  latter  was  employed  in 
direct  efforts  to  ascertain  the  true  state  of  Ireland,  and 
prepare  the  soil  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  Mr. 
Bickersteth  entered  zealously  into  the  task  of  awaking  the 
zeal,  and  securing  the  aid  of  British  Christians.  The  fol- 
lowing notices  of  the  subject  occur  successively  in  his 
journal. 

"  November  29,  18-46.   I  feel  that  a  great  opening  is  now 


SPECIAL  FUND  FOR  IRELAND. 


317 


made  for  doing  good  to  Ireland.  O  Lord,  prosper  the 
effort  I  have  made  in  the  Appeal  I  have  now  been  writ- 
ing. I  lodge  this  prayer  with  Thee,  0  Redeemer,  who 
delightest  to  use  the  weakest. 

"December  25.  Glory  be  to  God  for  the  measure  of 
success  given  to  the  '  Irish  Appeal,'  above  £1000  having 
been  already  raised.  0  how  merciful  the  Lord  is,  in  any 
measure  to  use  one  so  unworthy,  for  advancing  His  own 
purposes  of  truth  and  love. 

"  O  take  my  soul  unto  Thy  special  care,  0  my  God ! 
Amid  incessant  occupations,  it  is  seriously  injured,  by 
want  of  more  communion  with  Thee.  Lord,  give  me 
more  of  the  spirit  of  prayer.  I  loathe  and  abhor  myself, 
and  humble  myself  in  Thy  sight.  0  that  the  closing 
Sabbath  and  week-daj-s  of  another  year,  may,  by  Thy 
mighty  grace,  have  a  quickening  power,  reviving  every 
good  thing,  and  quickening  every  grace  of  faith,  hope,  and 
love ! 

"January  30,  1847.  The  Lord  has  most  graciously 
prospered  the  Appeal  for  Ireland.  More  than  £4000 
have  been  contributed,  and  several  of  the  Bishops  have 
aided  it.  It  has  also  been  greatly  opposed  by  the  Infidel 
and  Papal  party,  and  by  Lord  Brougham  in  the  House  of 
Lords.  May  it  indeed  be  owned  of  God,  in  doing  a  great 
work. 

"  March  7,  18-47.  The  Lord  has  especially  blessed  the 
Appeal,  which  has  reached  about  £6000.  Glory  be  to 
His  name." 

In  the  Appeal  itself,  Mr.  Bickersteth  stated  clearly  the 
broad  Scriptural  principle,  on  which  the  effort  was  based, 
and  which  proved  it  to  be  specially  seasonable  in  the  hour 
of  distress. 

"  A  calamity,  fearful  in  extent,  and  occasioning  wide  and 
severe  suffering,  has  befallen  our  sister  country,  Ireland.  Famine, 
with  its  many  sad  and  distressing  attendants,  has  come  upon 
vast  multitudes.  Their  sufferings  can  not  fail  to  awaken  our 
deepest  sympathy,  and  to  call  forth  our  cheerful  contributions. 


818  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Something  has  heen  done  by  private  benevolence,  but  more  may, 
and  we  trust,  will  yet  be  done,  in  channels  that  are  open  to  indi- 
viduals, and  by  unexceptionable  societies.  We  have  also  to 
thank  God  that  a  provident  government,  though  it  can  never 
reach  all  the  details  of  such  a  calamity,  has  done  much  to  alle- 
viate this  national  affliction. 

"  But  such  afflictions  come  from  the  hand  of  God ;  they  are 
are  His  chastisement  for  our  sins.  They  are  His  voice — '  Hear 
ye  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it.'  He  tells  us,  in  the 
day  of  our  adversity,  to  consider.  They  issue  from  His  mercy 
and  love,  to  recall  us  to  Himself,  from  whom  we  have  grievously 
departed. 

"  The  primary,  the  very  chief  remedy  for  all  temporal  destitu- 
tion, is  a  real  return  to  that  God  who  smites  us.  If  the  appointed 
weeks  of  harvest  bring  no  harvest,  the  reason  is  especially  stated. 
'  Your  iniquities  have  withholden  these  things  from  you.'  There 
is  no  principle  more  sure  than  the  Divine  promise — '  Seek  ye 
first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteousness,  and  all  these 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you.'  In  making  this  appeal,  there- 
fore, to  set  before  the  Irish  the  word  of  God,  we  may  be  assured 
that  we  are  taking  the  right  and  principal  means  for  remedying 
the  evil  under  which  Ireland  is  now  suffering." 

Such  an  effort,  however,  was  too  thoroughly  in  accord- 
ance with  the  mind  of  Christ,  not  to  insure  the  opposition 
of  the  world.  It  brought  the  principles  of  Christian  faith 
into  direct  collision  with  those  maxims  of  false  peace  and 
hollow  expediency,  which  had  brought  on  the  terrible 
judgment.  An  outcry  was  speedily  raised  that  it  was  a 
scheme  to  take  advantage  of  Irish  starvation,  for  bribing 
the  peasantry  to  renounce  their  faith.  O'Connell  was  for- 
ward, as  usual,  in  the  work  of  poisoning  the  minds  of  his 
countrymen,  and  denounced  all  the  benevolence  of  Eng- 
land, which  was  pouring  into  the  island,  as  a  conspiracy 
worthy  of  the  fiends  of  hell.  Lord  Brougham,  in  the 
House  of  Lords,  condemned  the  Special  Fund,  and  Mr. 
Bickersteth  as  its  promoter,  in  language  of  almost  equal 
violence.  But  what  was  still  more  deplorable,  an  Irish 
clergyman  of  some  eminence  was  found  willing  to  repeat 


SPECIAL  FUND  FOR  IRELAND. 


319 


in  one  of  the  London  papers,  the  wretched  and  calumnious 
misrepresentation,  aud  thus  to  hold  up  the  best  and  wisest 
friends  of  Ireland  to  the  condemnation  of  the  irreligious 
public.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  in  a  further  Address  of  February 
19,  disposed  in  a  few  words  of  the  groundless  calumny, 
and  of  the  antichristian  maxim  on  which  it  was  based, 
which  would  shut  the  mouth  from  imparting  a  knowledge 
of  the  gospel,  because  of  the  pressure  of  unusual  distress. 
"  The  Fund,"  he  remarked,  "is  entirely  unconnected  with 
any  plan  for  temporal  relief  whatever.  The  contributors 
will  be  found  to  have  given,  in  other  ways,  for  the  tem- 
poral relief  of  all  classes,  without  reference  to  their  creed, 
whether  Romanist  or  Protestant,  but  wholly  apart  from, 
and  independent  of  this  '  Special  Fund.'  When  Chris- 
tians have  thus  shown  their  sympathy  for  the  physical 
wants  of  the  people  of  Ireland,  the  Committee  feel  justified 
in  calling  their  attention,  if  not  to  a  more  urgent,  to  a 
higher  and  more  enduring  charity,  the  care  of  the  soul. 
On  the  principle  that  the  time  of  affliction  is  specially  the 
time,  when  it  is  a  pastor's  duty  to  impart  religious  instruc- 
tion, and  that  every  infirmary  should  be  provided  with  its 
chaplain,  they  could  not  hesitate  as  to  the  propriety  and 
importance  of  raising  this  fund.  .  .  .  Believing  that 
there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven,  whereby  we  must 
be  saved,  but  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  they  would 
thankfully  avail  themselves  of  a  season,  when  the  heart  is 
softened  by  affliction,  to  spread  before  our  afflicted  breth- 
ren in  Ireland  that  one  name,  as  set  forth  in  the  word  of 
God." 

A  few  days  later,  having  received  from  his  Irish  brother 
a  reply  to  a  kind  letter  of  private  expostulation,  he  wrote 
again  as  follows : 

February  1,  1847. 

My  bear  , 

My  love  to  you  obliges  me  to  write  again,  though  entirely 
at  issue  with  your  letter  in  its  conclusions,  but  at  one  in  its 
kindness. 

You  can  never  surely  mean  that  when  God's  hand  is  over  us 


320  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


in  judgment,  is  just  the  time  when  we  are  not  to  ohey  His  com- 
mands, and  make  known  the  love  of  Christ  from  His  own  word 
to  dying  sinners.  This  would  be  indeed  to  read  things  backward. 
The  objections  to  V.'s  plan  are  quite  as  groundless  as  to  the 
Special  Fund. 

Surely  the  Apostle  was  not  guilty  of  bribery,  when  he  says, 
"  Do  good  to  all  men,  and  specially  to  them  which  are  of  the 
household  of  faith  ;"  nor  our  Lord,  when  He  made  the  feeding  of 
the  five  thousand  the  direct  occasion  for  teaching  them  the  great 
truths  of  the  Gospel. 

Nor  was  that  paper  a  right  channel  for  censure  of  the  children 
of  God.  I  wrote  a  very  friendly  reply  to  you,  which  I  sent  to  it, 
as  soon  as  I  saw  yours.  This  they  refused  to  insert.  It  may  show 
you  that  it  is  not  an  honorable  vehicle  for  your  letters.  .  .  .  The 
Lord  forgive  us  all  our  mistakes,  make  us  a  blessing  to  our  fellow- 
men,  and  bring  us  to  rejoice  together  in  His  heavenly  kingdom, 
prays 

Yours  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

It  pleased  God,  however,  amid  all  opposition,  to  prosper 
this  work  of  Christian  love.  For  several  months  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  alludes  in  his  journal  to  its  continued  success.  On 
April  3,  he  wrote : 

"  The  Irish  Appeal  has  raised  nearly  £7000,  and  has 
been  the  means  already  of  sending  forth  many  fresh  labor- 
ers, as  well  as  of  upholding  the  excellent  religious  Socie- 
ties of  Ireland.  0  Lord,  prosper  it  more  and  more !  I  do 
count  it  Thy  especial  love,  to  be  in  any  way  used  and 
owned  of  Thee,  in  doing  Thy  blessed  work  of  faith  and 
love." 

And  again,  in  the  three  following  months. 

"  April  24.  Through  mercy  a  '  Second  Appeal'  has  been 
prepared  by  me,  and  is  now  circulating.  The  Lord  pros- 
per it  for  the  good  of  Ireland,  and  dispose  His  children  to 
aid  in  it. 

"  June  26.  The  '  Irish  Appeal'  has  raised  £8021.  Glory 
be  to  God  alone!" 

The  funds  thus  raised  were  employed,  during  the  same 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


321 


year,  in  aiding  the  "  Irish,"  the  "  Church  Education,"  and 
"  Additional  Curates"  Societies,  the  "  Irish  Scripture  Read- 
ers," the  "  Hibernian  Female  Schools,"  the  "Cork  Pastoral 
Aid"  Societies,  the  "  Achill  and  Dingle  Missions,"  and  the 
"  Irish  Islands  Society ;"  while  a  small  portion  was  de- 
voted, toward  the  close  of  the  year,  to  a  direct  mission 
to  the  Roman  Catholics  of  Galway,  which  has  since  borne 
such  abundant  fruit  to  the  glory  of  the  grace  of  God. 

Along  with  his  efforts  for  the  good  of  Ireland,  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth  continued  to  labor,  with  unabated  zeal,  for  the  fur- 
therance of  Christian  union.  His  loving  spirit  knew  how 
to  turn  passing  causes  of  offense  into  blessed  occasions  for 
the  triumph  of  forbearance,  candor,  and  charity.  One  of 
the  brethren  from  America,  who  was  present  at  the  August 
conferences,  had  written  home  a  little  before  they  took 
place,  in  a  moment  of  excitement,  reflecting  severely  on 
the  religious  state  of  England,  and  especially  on  the  Es- 
tablished Church.  The  letter  was  printed,  and  found 
its  way  back  across  the  Atlantic ;  and  its  strongest  pas- 
sages were  produced,  in  an  Irish  journal,  as  a  convinc- 
ing proof  of  the  futility  of  the  Alliance,  and  the  insin- 
cerity of  its  professions.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  at  the  request 
of  other  friends  of  union,  wrote  a  private  letter  of  kind 
and  affectionate  remonstrance.  One  or  two  extracts  will 
show  his  feelings  with  regard  to  the  actual  state  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  his  habitual  candor  toward  those 
who  differed  from  him,  whether  within  or  without  the 
pale  of  the  Establishment. 

"  For  above  thirty  years  I  have  been  a  minister  of  this  Church, 
and  I  may  say,  without  condemning  other  denominations  which 
hold  the  Head,  it  is  the  Church  of  my  deepest  conscientious 
convictions  and  affections,  as  being  truly  Scriptural,  evangelical, 
and  catholic  toward  other  Churches. 

"  For  fifteen  years  after  I  was  in  the  ministry,  I  traveled  in 
connection  with  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  over  every  part 
of  our  country  ;  and  since  that  time,  from  my  connection  with 
different  religious  Societies,  I  am  well  acquainted  with  its  situa- 
tion.   I  deny  not  many  humbling  and  fearful  inconsistencies. 

o* 


322 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Throughout  the  Protestant  Churches  much  of  the  spirit  of  the 
Reformation  has  decayed,  and  hence  the  door  has  been  opened 
to  many  evils.     I  deny  not  our  participation  in  this  decay.  .  .  . 

"  There  are  fifteen  or  sixteen  thousand  clergymen  in  our 
Church.  The  chief  proportion  are  in  country  parishes, — the 
great  stay,  support,  and  comfort,  of  the  retired  villages  of  our 
country,  from  their  conscientiousness,  intelligence,  and  benevo- 
lence, and  this  in  many  cases  where  there  is  not  the  fullness 
that  might  be  wished,  of  enlightened,  deep,  and  experimental 
religion. 

"  There  are,  it  must  be  admitted,  to  the  grief  of  every  true 
Christian,  unconverted,  worldly  and  formal  ministers,  and  per- 
haps at  the  same  time  exclusive  and  extreme  in  their  notions 
of  Church  authority.  But  faithful  rulers  aud  ministers  in  our 
Church  have  again  and  again  testified  against  these  evils.  A 
fervent  and  zealous  spirit  may  also  greatly  mistake  as  to  the 
proportion  of  evil-doers.  Elijah  thought  that  he  only  was  left  a 
true  worshiper  of  God,  when  there  seven  thousand  such  in  Is- 
rael. I  mourn  that  there  should  be  any  such  in  a  Church,  where 
the  most  eminent  holiness  and  devotedness  are  required  by  her 
principles  and  ordination-services.  But  the  tares  will  grow  with 
the  wheat,  and  while  it  is  our  duty  to  testify  against  that  which 
is  evil,  let  us  remember  also  the  solemn  admonition,  '  Judge  not, 
that  ye  be  not  judged.'  We  may  exaggerate  the  extent  of  the 
evil,  and  are  incompetent  judges  of  others. 

"  As  to  Tractarianism,  the  general  voice  of  the  bishops  and 
clergy  has  been  against  it,  and  the  middle  and  lower  classes  of 
Churchmen  strengthen  faithful  brethren  in  firmly  withstanding  it. 
Its  character  has  been  manifested  by  some  open  secessions  to 
the  Apostasy  of  Rome,  and  this  shipwreck  of  faith  has  not  been 
in  vain.  Others,  yet  with  us,  in  my  view  overvalue  their 
own  notions,  as  to  the  visible  Church,  its  sacraments  and  min- 
istry, and  episcopacy  .;  but  are  there  no  contrasted  errors  in 
other  denominations  ?  And  where  there  are  these  errors,  there 
is  often  much  conscientiousness,  seriousness,  real  devotedness,  en- 
larged bounty,  and  self-denial, — though  mingled  with  statements 
erroneous  in  themselves,  and  leading  to  still  more  dangerous 
errors. 

"  Blessed  be  God,  there  is  also  a  great  revival  in  the  last  thirty 
years,  a  growth  of  earnest  attention  to  religion,  as  the  one  thing 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


323 


of  supreme  moment.  These  errors  have  quickened  many  to 
deeper  studies,  and  a  more  bold  and  open  confession  of  Evan- 
gelic truth.  It  remains  yet  to  be  seen  whether  the  Church  of 
England  may  not,  in  the  great  mercy  of  God,  be  a  means  of 
preserving  this  kingdom  from  national  apostasy,  and  preparing 
the  way  of  the  Lord  on  earth.  Sure  I  am,  a  very  large  body 
of  ministers  are  laboring  in  retirement,  with  patient  zeal,  for 
the  salvation  of  their  flocks.  There  are  thousands  of  such  min- 
isters, who  count  the  salvation  of  souls  thejr  highest  preferment, 
and  the  reproach  of  the  cross  their  greatest  honor.  They,  with 
faithful  brethren  of  other  denominations,  are  the  true  salt  of 
Britain. 

"  As  to  the  higher  authorities,  they  have  large  incomes,  and 
these  may  be  abused,  but  often  their  charities  fully  correspond. 
The  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  the  Bishop  of  London,  for 
instance,  give  immense  sums  for  charitable  objects.  .  .  .  Our 
Church  authorities  have  also  taken  many  decided  steps,  bringing 
in  and  carrying  through  Parliament,  laws  to  diminish  and  put 
away  various  evils.  ... 

"  God  forbid  that  I  should  justify  sin  or  error,  either  in  my 
church  or  out  of  it.  I  would  rather  cry  and  sigh  for  every 
abomination.  Any  mixture  of  truth  in  the  sharpest  statements, 
or  the  most  unfounded  principles,  may  well  occasion  grief  and 
humiliation,  in  one  who  loves  the  institutions  of  the  Church, 
while  he  is  aware  that  the  administrat  ion  of  them  is  defective. 

"  My  hope  is,  that  this  frank  communication,  in  the  full  spirit 
of  brotherly  love,  will  meet  with  a  kind  reception,  and  that  now 
I  have  pointed  out  what  I  think  was  wrong,  none  will  more 
grieve  at  it  than  yourself,  if  convinced  it  was  so,  and  a  founda- 
tion will  be  laid  for  deeper  and  fuller  union  than  we  could  other- 
wise have  attained. 

"  What  merciful  deliverances  God  gave  on  your  return  !  He 
is  the  Hearer  and  Answerer  of  prayer.    Glory  be  to  His  name  !" 

The  reply  was  such  as  Mr.  Bickersteth  had  hoped  to 
receive — frank,  affectionate,  and  ingenuous ;  and  was 
prefaced  with  a  brief  tribute  of  hearty  esteem  and  love. 
"  I  thank  God,  and  glorify  God  in  you,  my  honored 
brother,  that  whatever  I  have  done,  it  has  been  overruled 
as  the  occasion  of  displaying  your  Christian  urbanity,  your 


324 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


heavenly  temper,  your  brotherly  faithfulness,  your  wis- 
dom, your  benignity."  The  whole  explanation  was  wor- 
thy, in  its  tone,  of  the  affectionate  remonstrance  by  which 
it  was  elicited.  The  result  was  a  striking  proof  of  the  real 
tendency  of  the  Alliance,  as  a  powerful  influence  on  the 
side  of  forbearing  love,  and  how  far  more  blessed  it  is  to 
seek  the  cure  of  offenses  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  than  to 
blazon  them  abroad,  as  excuses  for  alienation,  distrust,  and 
bitterness,  among  the  servants  of  Christ, 

The  correspondence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  was,  at  this  time, 
of  a  most  extensive  and  interesting  character.  Very  fre- 
quently he  would  receive  more  than  twenty  letters  by  a 
single  post,  and  many  of  them  on  topics,  either  of  great 
delicacy,  or  of  public  importance,  in  connection  with  the 
general  interests  of  the  gospel.  Some  of  his  more  promi- 
nent engagements  in  the  course  of  the  present  year  are 
brifly  recorded  in  his  journal. 

"  January  30.  I  was  called  on  the  13th,  at  the  Isling- 
ton meeting,  to  speak  on  the  way  in  which  St.  Paul  en- 
countered error  in  his  ministry.  It  was  a  very  profitable 
meeting,  and  many  spoke  very  seasonably.  I  go  next 
month,  if  it  please  God,  to  preach,  on  the  14th,  at  Clap- 
ham,  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  and,  on  the 
21st,  for  the  Jews  at  Brighton.  May  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  be  with  me  ! 

"  My  brother's  family  has  been  specially  afflicted  in  the 
last  six  weeks.  The  Lord  relieve,  comfort,  and  sanctify. 
As  to  my  own  soul,  I  hope  that  there  has  in  some  things 
been  more  unction  and  communion  with  God.  0  that 
there  might  be  a  full  tide  and  flow  of  blessings,  much 
spiritual  grace  and  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good 
of  my  fellow-men  !  When  shall  it  be  ?  I  am  much  pressed 
with  work,  but  God  has  graciously  given  me  a  most  valu- 
able curate  for  my  flock. 

"  March  7.  The  Lord  has  disposed  Government  to  ap- 
point a  national  fast-day.  May  it  be  greatly  blessed  !  I 
was  carried  through  my  duties  at  Clapham  and  Brighton; 
and  on  the  28th  we  had  a  large  collection  of  £30  for  the 


TRACT  ON  THE  FAST-DAY. 


325 


Irish  at  Watton.  On  March  4,  I  preached  for  the  London 
Citv  Mission  at  Woolwich,  and  the  next  day  a  lecture 
at  St.  George's,  on  Prophecy.  The  Lord  be  blessed  for 
strength  in  these  duties  ! 

"  Jfarch  19.  I  this  day  begin  my62dyear:  so  long 
has  rav  God  spared  me  and  preserved  me  in  this  world  of 
sin  and  sorrow.  The  last  birth-day  was  spent  in  my  sick- 
room, while  slowly  recovering ;  this  birth-day  I  am  sur- 
rounded with  many  peculiar  blessings.  .  .  First,  the  birth 
this  morning,  of  my  first  grandchild,  born  the  same  day 
as  my  father  and  myself.  It  was  a  time  of  special  answer 
to  prayer.    Glory  be  to  God. 

"  Secondly.  God  is  graciously  prospering  my  little  tract 
on  the  Fast,  and  80,000  have  been  printed.  May  it  be 
owned  of  the  Lord,  to  help  in  bringing  the  nation  to  re- 
pentance ! 

"  The  blessings  given  to  my  dear  children  make  our 
home  one  of  special  happiness  and  blessedness.  These 
are  some  of  my  mercies.  What  is  my  return  ?  Very  un- 
worthy, very  inconsistent.  If  there  be  some  outward 
zeal,  O  how  little  real  communion,  fervent  prayer,  and 
self-sacrifice,  in  seeking  only  the  glory  of  Jesus!  Lord, 
help  me,  even  at  61,  to  begin  to  walk  in  newness  of  life. 

11  March  24.  This  is  the  National  Fast-day,  for  the 
famine  in  Ireland.  I  have  preached  two  sermons  on  Isa. 
xxvi.  9.  There  have  been  unusually  crowded  congrega- 
tions, morning,  afternoon,  and  evening ;  and  I  trust  the 
Divine  blessing  will  rest  largely  on  the  labors  of  the 
day.  O  how  much  I  have  to  be  thankful  for!  It  appears 
that  120,000  of  the  Tract  have  been  published.  Glory  be 
to  God  !  May  it  please  Thee  to  give  some  blessing  to  the 
sermons  also. 

"  How  very  different  may  be  my  heavenly  Father's  judg- 
ment, from  that  of  partial  admirers ;  and  though  enemies 
say  hard  things  of  me,  which  are  false,  friends  speak,  as 
they  judge,  far  too  highly  of  my  doings.  Nothing  is  of 
the  slightest  value,  but  Thy  approbation,  O  Jesus ;  nothing 


326 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


a  real  injury,  but  Thy  displeasure.  0  Jesus,  pardon,  ac- 
cept, and  bless  me ! 

"...  The  Lord  guide  me,  in  accepting  and  in  declin- 
ing invitations  to  journey  for,  and  to  help  Religious  Socie- 
ties. Many  I  am  obliged  to  decline,  and  often  I  am  in 
great  perplexity  what  to  do,  the  applications  for  this  help 
are  so  numerous.  My  correspondence  also  is  so  much  in- 
creased, that  I  have  sometimes  20  or  25  letters  and  pack- 
ets by  the  post.  O  let  not  work  lead  from,  but  lead  to 
Thee,  my  God,  and  be  for  Thee,  and  give  me  strength  for 
it,  and  then  the  more  the  better. 

"  April  24.  Last  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  I  was  at  Bir- 
mingham for  the  Jews'  Society.  .  .  For  many  weeks  I 
have  important  engagements :  the  Prophetical  meetings 
and  Religious  Societies  next  week,  several  Societies  the 
two  first  weeks  in  May,  the  Evangelical  Alliance  in  Edin- 
burgh at  the  beginning  of  June,  and  then  journeys  to  In- 
verness and  Aberdeen.  0  Lord,  give  me  heavenly  wis- 
dom for  all  Thy  work,  and  a  large  blessing  on  the  further- 
ance of  Thy  truth  ;  and,  along  with  this,  give  me  to  grow 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord. 

"  May  22.  .  .  Thanks  be  to  my  God  for  help  in  duties 
in  London.  I  spoke  for  the  Foreigners'  Evangelical  So- 
ciety, the  Wesleyan  Missionary,  the  Church  Missionary, 
the  Irish,  the  London  City  Mission,  the  Jews,  the  Home 
and  Colonial,  the  Religious  Tract,  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land's Young  Men's,  Societies.  I  then  went  to  Notting- 
ham for  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  and  on  Tuesday 
returned  to  town,  and  spoke  at  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid, 
the  Protestant,  and  the  Reformation  Societies.  Thanks 
be  to  the  Lord  for  health  and  ability  to  plead  His  cause. 
May  He  make  what  has  been  said  a  blessing,  and  pardon 
all  that  was  sinful  in  His  sight. 

"  I  went  to  Kelshall  last  Sunday,  for  the  baptism  of  my 
first  grandchild.    The  Lord  pour  his  grace  upon  her  ! 

"  The  conflict  is  manifestly  increasing.  0  Lord  Jesus, 
give  me  this  one  thing — let  me  be  faithful  to  Thee,  cost 
what  it  may  !   Hold  up  my  goings  in  Thy  paths. 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


327 


"  How  uncertain  is  all  before  us !  What  an  important 
journey  that  to  Scotland !  How  shall  I  need  heavenly 
love  and  wisdom  from  above  !    Lord,  make  me  faithful ! 

"June  11.   Edinburgh  (Alliance  Meetings). 

"  Every  moment  is  full  of  work  for  our  blessed  Savior. 
Oh  it  is  sweet  to  work,  and  to  promote  the  love  of  the 
brethren!  The  meetings  have  been  very  blessed,  bene- 
ficial, and  striking  hitherto.    God  is  with  us  of  a  truth. 

June  14.  Glasgow.  God  graciously  carries  me  through 
my  work,  and  blesses  me  in  it.  I  preached  twice  in  Edin- 
burgh yesterday,  and  have  come  here  for  the  meetings  of 
the  Alliance.  Oh  how  much  there  is,  each  hour,  for  which 
to  praise  God ! 

u  June  16.  Aberdeen.  I  go  fifty  miles  further  to  Banff 
to-morrow,  please  God ;  then  to  Huntley,  back  to  Aber- 
deen, and  on  to  Perth,  Edinburgh,  Newcastle,  and  Lon- 
don, and  then  to  happy  home,  where,  if  it  please  God,  the 
"Watcher  over  all,  I  hope  to  arrive  this  day  week,  after 
a  journey  of  1500  miles,  hitherto  full  of  mercies  and  bless- 
ings. 

"  How  sweet  to  commit  all  that  is  dear  to  us  to  the 
Lord  !  His  truth,  His  kingdom,  the  union  of  His  chil- 
dren, the  spread  of  His  gospel,  the  communion  of  saints, 
and  the  greatest  things  we  have  to  do  with  ;  and  then 
wife,  children,  relatives,  friends,  parish,  church,  and  all 
our  immediate  relationships.  God  give  us  singleness  of 
eye  and  heart  for  Him  ! 

"  June  26.  I  have  been  safely  carried  through  my 
long  journey.  I  preached  for  the  Irish  Scripture  Readers 
at  Edinburgh,  for  the  Colonial  Church  Society,  and  the 
Evangelical  Alliance,  and  three  times  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society.  I  was  strengthened  to  speak  often 
at  public  meetings,  and  brought  home  in  peace.  All 
glory  to  the  Lord  my  Savior. 

"  As  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England,  I  am  ap- 
parently called,  with  a  few  brethren,  to  walk  in  a  solitary 
path,  and  find  my  brethren  on  all  sides  shrinking  from 
that  course  which  seems  to  me  the  plain  path  of  duty. 


328 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


I  can  fully  free  them  from  blame ;  and  yet,  seeing  as  I 
do,  I  can  not  act  otherwise.  Yet  it  will  most  likely  bring 
upon  me  trials  and  sorrows. 

"  My  soul  thirsts  for  more  grace  ;  more  of  God's  pres- 
ence ;  more  preparedness  for  the  Lord's  coming;  more 
self-denying  labors.  O  Lord,  time  is  short,  the  work  to  be 
done  is  immense ;  make  me  faithful  to  Jesus,  faithful  to 
souls,  faithful  to  my  parish. 

"July  23.  The  chief  public  work  has  been  in  refer- 
ence to  county  Societies,  the  Herts  Reformation,  the 
Hatfield  Church  Missionary,  and  the  Herts  Gospel  Prop- 
agation Society.    Glory  to  God  for  help  in  these  I 

"  I  trust  that  there  is  a  blessing  on  the  labors  of  my 
dear  fellow-laborer,  Mr.  Ogle,  in  the  parish,  and  that  more 
communicants  are  added  to  the  Lord.  The  elections  make 
it  a  time  of  great  national  moment,  as  well  as  the  ingath- 
ering of  the  harvest  that  now  covers  the  earth. 

"  August  28.  Months  roll  rapidly  away,  each  bearing 
its  solemn  account  for  the  judgment.  O  were  it  not  for 
the  promises,  for  the  grace  of  the  gospel,  I  should  have  no 
hope ! 

"  We  have  had  Church  Pastoral  Aid  and  Church  Mis- 
sionary Meetings,  and  I  am  at  present  trying  to  get  a  day 
of  National  Thanksgiving.  The  Lord  in  mercy  prosper  a 
feeble  instrument. 

"  My  time  has  been  much  occupied  in  preparing  a  lecture 
on  Popery  in  the  Colonies.  Lord,  help  me  to  speak  in 
much  faithfulness  on  a  subject  so  important  to  the  welfare 
of  my  fellow-men  in  distant  lands. 

"  My  dear  child  F  continues  most  distressingly  ill. 

It  ought  to  be  a  very  serious  inquiry  with  us  before  God, 
wherefore  He  thus  contends  with  us.  I  know  that  I  am 
not  walking  closely  enough  with  God.  O  Lord,  give  me 
repentance  and  newness  of  life  !  I  would  humble  myself 
before  Thee :  quicken  me  for  Thy  name's  sake. 

"  September  26.  Still  mercies  are  prolonged.  There 
appears  the  prospect  of  a  day  of  National  Thanksgiving, 
as  indeed  there  ought  to  be.    I  am  preparing  a  Tract  for 


LETTER  OF  SYMPATHY. 


329 


its  due  improvement,  and  another  on  the  due  observance 
of  the  Lord's  Day.    The  Lord  own  and  prosper  them. 

"  In  the  last  month  we  heard  of  the  heavy  trial  of  our 
dear  friends,  the  Auriols,  in  the  loss  of  their  only  son  in 
the  lake  of  Geneva.  They  have  been  wonderfully  sup- 
ported in  the  fiery  trial,  and  enabled  to  glorify  the  Lord, 
as  doing  all  things  well.  May  we  glorify  Him  also  under 
F  's  affliction.    Lord,  we  commit  all  to  Thee. 

"  My  faith  is  very  weak,  hope  very  feeble,  and  love 
very  cold.  Lord,  pardon  all  my  follies,  inconsistencies, 
and  every  thing  in  me  short  of  Thy  mind  and  will.  O 
fulfill  Thy  new  covenant  promises,  and  write  Thy  laws  in 
my  heart,  for  Christ's  sake!" 

The  affecting  trial  of  his  beloved  friends  led  to  the  fol- 
lowing letter  of  Christian  sympathy. 

My  beloved  Auriol, 
Our  hearts  have  been  greatly  crushed  by  your  letter.  We  got 
it  just  after  family  prayers,  and  your  most  touching  account 
thrilled  through  all  our  feelings,  so  that  I  could  hardly  read  it. 
It  is  the  Lord  !  This  silenced  us,  and  we  knelt  down  together 
again  in  prayer,  that  you  might  be  supported,  sanctified,  and 
strengthened,  and  that  it  might  be  sanctified  to  us  all.  Ever 
since,  the  painful  stroke  has  been  like  a  weight  upon  us.  0  may 
it  indeed  come  with  purifying  power  to  every  one  of  us  !  Our 
own  dear  child  has  been  under  aggravated  suffering  the  last  two 
days  ;  but  your  fearful  loss  is  most  upon  our  minds.  And  yet 
what  alleviations  and  consolations  !  no  father's,  no  mother's  love 
can  do  for  E.  what  a  few  moments  did — bring  him  into  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  and  make  him  happy  in  His  love  forever.  All 
was  foreseen  and  foreordained,  in  deep  love  and  infinite  wisdom, 
that  he  might  be  removed  from  conflict,  temptation  and  trial,  to 
rest,  and  holy  love,  and  full  joy  ;  and  that  you,  dearest  friends, 
might  have  fresh  experience  of  the  all-sufficient  grace  of  Jesus 
in  the  greatest  of  earthly  trials  parents  can  have,  the  sudden  re- 
moval of  an  only  child.  And  I  doubt  not  that  God  may  be 
greatly  glorified  before  all,  and  especially  among  His  people,  in 
the  grace  given  you,  to  testify  His  faithfulness,  wisdom,  and  love, 
in  such  a  stroke  as  this !    And  I  doubt  not  further,  many  spirit- 


330 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ual  children  you  would  never  otherwise  have  had,  many  com- 
forted children  of  God  you  would  never  otherwise  have  been  able 
to  comfort,  a  heavcnly-mindedness  you  would  never  otherwise 
have  attained,  will  be  given  you  through  this  trial,  and  will 
increase  the  perfected  joy  and  glory,  with  which  you  shall  both 
rejoin  your  son  in  the  speedily  coming  day  of  the  Lord.  That 
all-glorious  day  can  not  be  far  off ;  and  then  lost  E .  and  harassed 
F.  and  afflicted  relatives,  all  remember  no  more  the  present  suf- 
ferings ;  or  rather,  in  the  sweet  words  of  that  precious  promise 
— "  I  will  turn  their  mourning  into  joy  ;  and  will  comfort  them, 
and  will  make  them  rejoice  from  their  sorrow."  They  shall  have 
joys  they  could  not  have  had  without  their  sorrow. 

0  my  dearest  friend,  we  know  these  things  are  ours  !  we 
know  the  truths  we  preach  are  realities,  not  fictions  !  Our  only 
sorrow  is,  that  they  do  not  impress  us  enough,  and  so  we  fail  to 
impress  others  ;  but  such  dispensations  deepen  every  inward  con- 
viction, and  give  strength  and  power  to  our  utterance  of  God's 
own  truths  for  our  people's  salvation. 

The  Lord  bring  you  back  again,  then,  with  even  a  fuller  bless- 
ing for  His  church  than  when  you  went  out.  The  Lord  anoint 
you  with  a  fresh  unction  from  above,  "  to  preach  good  tidings  to 
the  poor,  and  to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted,  and  to  comfort  all 
that  mourn."  And  your  dearest  wife  and  sister,  the  Lord  be 
gracious  to  them,  and  bless  with  especial  help  to  glorify  Him  in 
this  trial,  that  all  may  see  His  grace  is  all-sufficient,  to  sustain 
those  who  confide  in  Him,  in  the  very  darkest  day  of  earthly  sor- 
row. I  need  not  say  how  my  dearest  wife  and  our  children  sym- 
pathize with  you  in  all  this  trial — it  is  like  losing  one  of  our- 
selves ;  for  he  had  endeared  himself  so  to  us  all,  we  felt  him  to 
be  like  one  of  our  own  family.  And  so  he  is  now,  in  the  highest 
of  all  senses,  removed  to  our  safe  and  happy  home,  to  welcome  us 
there. 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

E.  BlCKERSTKTH. 

About  the  same  time  a  letter  of  Lord  Ashley,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  great  perils  of  the  social  condition  of  the  coun- 
try, led  to  the  following  characteristic  communication. 


SOCIAL  STATE  OF  THE  COUNTKY. 


331 


August  11,  1847. 

My  dear  Lord  Ashley, 

Thanks  be  to  God  for  your  deeply  interesting  and  truly  Chris- 
tian letter.  I  bless  Him  who  has  given  you  this  deep  insight 
into  the  actual  state  of  our  country.  It  is  just  that  to  which 
the  study  of  the  prophetic  word  has  long  led  me,  though  the  vis- 
ible signs  of  it  have  not  before  been  so  apparent. 

We  have,  then,  just  to  rise  to  the  mind  of  Christ  and  His 
apostles,  as  patriots  in  the  Jewish  State,  laboring  intensely, 
though  they  knew  the  people  would  fill  up  their  sins  and  bring 
down  Divine  judgments,  for  the  highest  good  of  the  State  ;  and 
who  were  eminently  and  remarkably  blessed  of  God,  first  in 
bringing  out  of  that  state  the  purest  and  most  efficient  Church 
of  Christ  that  has  ever  appeared  on  earth,  and  then  by  that 
Church,  in  sending  the  Gospel  through  the  known  world,  and 
founding  the  whole  of  present  Christendom.  This  is  our  mighty 
mission,  to  prepare  the  way  for  that  happier  state,  near  at  hand, 
when  the  whole  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  glory  of  the  Lord  ; 
though  all  our  hopes  have  the  humbling  and  sanctifying  sorrow, 
that  our  country  as  a  country,  with  Christian  kingdoms  in  gen- 
eral, nationally  rejecting  the  gospel,  must  previously  undergo  na- 
tional judgments. 

God  is  so  wonderful  in  all  His  grace,  that  it  is  possible  He 
may  give  a  temporary  ministry  in  the  State  for  good,  before  our 
trials  ;  as  He  gave  a  cabinet  of  grace  for  a  short  season  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  VI.,  before  the  martyrdoms  of  Mary.  But  our 
brightest  views  must  be  drawn  from  the  scene  beyond  all  this, 
which  Scripture  opens  out  to  us  ; — The  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  notwithstanding  all  our  infirmities,  approving  and  accept- 
ing our  confession  of  His  truth,  blessing  it  to  the  awakening  of 
many,  and  the  salvation  of  multitudes,  through  our  beloved  Soci- 
eties, that  would  otherwise  have  perished  ;  and  so  the  seed  sown 
of  a  harvest,  joyful  beyond  all  our  imaginings,  in  the  day  of 
Christ.  And,  as  it  regards  our  country  itself,  prolonging  the 
day  of  grace,  the  long-suffering  of  God,  in  the  meanwhile, 
bringing  salvation  to  multitudes,  and  lengthening  out  our  tran- 
quillity. 

Those  who  are  so  prominent  as  your  Lordship  in  what  is  good, 
will  of  course  be  special  objects  of  the  wrath  and  malice  of  those, 
whom  your  faithful  conduct  especially  condemns.    It.  was  so  with 


332  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Wilberforce.  The  revilings  of  that  good  man,  which  I  heard  above 
thirty  years  ago,  are  still  remembered  by  me.  So  Sir  T.  F. 
Buxton  called  on  me  once  in  London,  much  depressed  with  the 
obloquy  which  he  encountered.  When  I  told  him  of  those  who 
sympathized  with  him,  he  seemed  greatly  comforted,  and  said  he 
met  with  little  of  that  sympathy  in  the  circles  in  which  he 
moved.  Yet  see  what  these  men  effected  !  "Wilberforce  opened 
the  door  to  the  Gospel,  through  the  East  and  the  West  Indies. 
Buxton  has  made  the  Christian  instruction  of  those,  who  once  were 
slaves,  to  be  now  coveted  through  the  islands,  and  even  in  Africa 
the  Gospel  is  pervading  that  dark  continent. 

Of  our  Lord  it  is  said — "  He  shall  not  fail  or  be  discouraged, 
till  he  have  set  judgment  in  the  earth,  and  the  isles  shall  wait 
for  His  law."  This  is  firmer  than  heaven  and  earth.  His  ap- 
proval in  this  work,  carried  on  by  us,  is  our  present  joy,  and 
will  be  our  everlasting  reward. 

The  excess  of  lawlesness  is  needed  to  show  liberalism  its  false 
position, — and  extremes  beget  their  remedies.  Yet  immense  mis- 
chief may  be  done  in  the  mean  while  ;  and  our  best  comfort  is 
— the  Lord  reigneth,  and  orders  every  thing  to  the  glory  of  His 
name,  the  triumph  of  His  truth  and  love,  the  good  of  His  people  ; 
and  finally,  to  the  everlasting  happiness  of  this  lower  world,  in 
the  full  glory  of  His  own  Church. 

In  that  day,  my  dear  Lord,  what  fullness  of  joy  will  be  yours, 
and  what  praise  will  you  give  to  Him  for  the  course  which  He 
has  put  it  into  your  heart  to  pursue  !  May  He  uphold  you  to 
the  end,  and  continually  give  you  wisdom  and  judgment,  grace 
and  strength,  for  all  the  trying  and  difficult  exigencies  through 
which  He  is  leading  you. 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  tone  of  deep,  calm  faith,  mingled  with  strong  and 
pure  affection,  in  this  letter,  will  explain  the  words  of  his 
Lordship,  in  replying  to  another  of  the  same  kind,  about 
two  years  earlier,  at  a  time  when  he  was  exposed  to  very 
bitter  reproaches.  "Your  letters  are  always  to  me  a  balm 
of  Gilead,  grapes  of  Eshcol,  which  show  that  there  is  a 
better  land  than  that  in  which  we  now  are." 

"  October  30.    The  Lord  graciously  strengthens  me  for 


LECTURE  ON  POPERY. 


333 


His  work.  About  45,000  of  the  Thanksgiving  Tract 
have  been  circulated.  On  Monday  last  I  delivered  my 
lecture  on  Popery  in  the  Colonies,  at  Islington,  speaking 
more  than  two  hours.  It  is  now  printing.  I  have  since 
been  to  Huntingdon  for  the  Malta  Protestant  College. 
Thanks  be  to  God,  if  He  uses  and  accepts  me  in  any  thing 
for  His  service.  The  Thanksgiving  was  on  Sunday,  Oc- 
tober 17.    I  regret  that  it  was  not  a  week-day. 

"  The  one  thing  I  need  and  desire  is  to  be  approved  of 
Thee,  0  Lord.  Kevive  Thy  work,  and  quicken  all  my 
graces !  On  the  morrow  I  hope  several  of  my  young 
people  will  come  to  the  holy  communion.  May  there 
be  a  gracious  outpouring  of  His  good  Spirit  upon  us  all  I" 

The  Lecture  to  which  the  journal  here  alludes,  was  one 
of  the  most  laborious,  and  perhaps  of  the  most  seasona- 
ble and  striking,  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  small  occasional 
publications.  He  briefly  unfolded  the  extent  of  the  Brit- 
ish colonies,  and  the  solemn  trust  thereby  committed  to 
our  nation  ;  the  character  of  Popery,  and  its  direct  op- 
position to  the  gospel  of  Christ ;  the  zeal  of  Romanists 
in  its  diffusion ;  the  support  of  it,  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment in  most  of  our  colonies ;  the  conflict  in  every  sphere 
of  Missionary  labor,  first  as  deduced  from  Papal,  and  then 
from  Protestant  testimony ;  and  lastly,  the  practical 
measures  which  it  becomes  Christians  to  adopt,  in  order 
to  withstand  the  apostasy  of  Rome.  His  remarks,  on  this 
first  point,  are  still  highly  seasonable. 

"  It  becomes  important  to  discern  with  what  forces  Popery 
shall  be  overthrown.  There  are  many  unhallowed  weapons 
which  a  Christian  can  never  use.  Lawlessness,  Infidelity,  Uni- 
tarianism,  and  Rationalism,  are  opposed  to  Popery,  as  well  as  to 
Evangelical  Protestantism.  We  can  not  combine  with  such 
hostile  forces.  Let  them  unite  against  us,  if  they  think  it  will 
promote  their  cause  to  do  so ;  they  have  done  it  in  times  past, 
and  are  very  likely  to  do  it.  again.  God  will  divide  and  destroy 
all  His  enemies ;  we  can  not,  may  not,  will  not,  unite  with  any 
of  them.  The  only  effective  weapon  is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit, 
which  is  the  word  of  God. 


334 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


What  is  further  wanted  now,  is  to  combine  and  greatly  enlarge 
all  the  scattered  efforts  made  by  Protestants  for  resisting  Popish 
aggressions,  and  for  extending  and  diffusing  Protestant  truth. 
.  .  .  .  We  must  out-preach,  out-pray,  out-work,  and  out-give 
the  Papist,  if  we  would  gain  the  victory.  We  do  not  wish  to  see 
England  under  spiritual  bondage,  like  Austria,  Spain,  Portugal,  or 
Italy.  Should  Popery  again  triumph  in  Britain,  by  God's  grace 
we  will  not  lay  up  for  ourselves  the  agonizing  reflection,  that  we 
were  careless,  supine,  and  indifferent,  while  its  hosts  were  thun- 
dering at  our  gates,  or  traitors  within  were  admitting  them  into 
our  strong  places.  We  will  do  what  we  can  to  hand  down,  un- 
impaired and  strengthened,  to  our  children,  that  Protestant  con- 
stitution which  we  received  from  our  forefathers,  and  which  has 
been  such  a  mighty  means  of  national  greatness  and  blessedness 
to  Britain.  The  spirit  of  delusion  is  mighty  and  energetic  to 
evercome  worlds,  but  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  mightier  still.  "  He 
that  is  in  us  is  stronger  than  he  that  is  in  the  world." 

Let  it  be  seen  that  none  magnify  Jesus  so  much  as  faithful 
Protestants  ;  that  none  dwell  so  much  on  his  grace,  all-suffi- 
ciency and  love  ;  none  more  continually  exhibit  Him  as  "  made 
of  God  unto  us,  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  re- 
demption ;"  none  more  rejoice  in  the  blessed  hope  of  His  return, 
His  kingdom,  and  His  glory.  Thus  lifting  up  Christ,  we  pre- 
sent the  great  magnet  of  souls,  and  God  will  prosper  all  our 
labors." 

The  year  came  to  its  close  with  premonitory  signs  of 
the  tempest  which  quickly  followed ;  and  Mr.  Bickersteth 
continued  his  course  of  unwearied  labor  in  the  cause  of 
Christ,  while  ripening  apace  for  his  heavenly  rest. 

"  November  27 '.  Goodness  and  mercy  daily  follow  me. 
I  went  the  Sunday  before  last  to  Bath,  for  the  Church 
Pastoral  Aid  Society,  and  am  going  next  Thursday  to 
preach  in  London,  for  the  Young  Men's  Society.  I  am 
also  preparing  a  Manual  of  Prayers  for  the  Young.  On 
October  31st,  102  communicants  were  at  the  Lord's  table. 

"  I  hope  that,  through  Mr.  Ogle's  zealous  labors,  much 
good  is  doing  in  my  parish,  though  I  have  much  to  be 
humbled  for.    Two  have  been  excluded  from  the  com- 


REVOLUTIONS  Vi'  1848. 


335 


munion,  and  two  have  died  this  week,  one  of  them  sud- 
denly. 0  Lord,  lay  not  the  blood  of  souls  to  my  charge ! 
I  cast  my  many  and  great  sins  on  the  Lord,  and  entreat 
that,  in  the  sense  of  his  forgiving  love,  I  may  live  more 
to  His  glory. 

"  December  24.  Public  events  are  full  of  agitation. 
Government  are  introducing  a  bill  to  bring  Jews  into  Par- 
liament, and  a  violent  controversy  is  rending  the  Church 
of  England  on  Dr.  Hampden's  appointment.  Our  conso- 
lation is — the  Lord  reigneth ! 

"My  Tract  on  the  Lord's  Day,  and  the  Lecture  on  Po- 
pery, are  now  printed  and  in  circulation. 

"  But  what  most  condemns  my  soul  is  within.  What- 
ever I  may  be  before  men,  I  am  indeed  a  poor  wretched 
sinner  before  God.  Such  a  two-fold  character  is  in  my 
soul ;  sometimes  a  burning  flame  of  pure  zeal  thirsting 
for  God,  and  longing  to  live  wholly  to  Him,  and  then  a 
spirit  feeding  on  ashes.  O  Lord,  expel  Satan,  and  come 
and  dwell  wholly  in  my  soul. 

"  December  31.  I  come  to  the  close  of  this  year — a 
year  of  many  trials  in  our  country,  and  of  many  mercies. 
Judgments  seem  now  impending  over  us ;  distress  in  Ire- 
land, with  many  murders;  cholera  approaching;  and  our 
country  endangered,  by  not  being  prepared  to  meet  pow- 
erful enemies ;  and  with  this,  the  Government  support  of 
the  admission  of  Jews  to  Parliament. 

"  My  own  soul  is  barren,  even  at  a  time  when  the  Lord 
has  been  graciously  using  me  in  the  ministry,  and  blessing 
me  in  my  parish  with  an  increased  number  of  communi- 
cants. My  dear  son  is  preparing  for  the  ministry,  and 
hopes  to  be  ordained  February  6.  Glory  be  to  God  for 
the  grace,  I  trust,  given  to  him ! " 

The  year  1848  was  one  of  storms.  It  opened  with  the 
French  Revolution  in  February,  and  continued  with  a 
series  of  convulsions,  that  shook  or  overthrew  nearly  every 
state  on  the  Continent  of  Europe.  Mr.  Bickersteth  looked 
with  peculiar  interest  on  these  great  and  solemn  changes, 


336  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

which  seemed  to  him  the  beginning  of  the  last  vial  of 
judgment,  and  a  fresh  warning  to  the  nations,  to  prepare 
for  the  coming  of  that  kingdom  which  can  never  be 
moved.  The  time  of  public  alarm  was  also  marked,  in 
his  domestic  circle,  by  special  mercies,  and  his  journal 
records  his  mingled  feelings  of  humility  and  thanksgiv- 
ing. 

"  January  29.  Wonderful  is  the  Lord's  love  to  a  most 
unworthy  servant,  very  negligent  of  His  work,  very  un- 
faithful to  His  trust.  And  yet  He  spares  and  blesses  me ; 
that  I  may  be  ashamed  and  confounded,  and  deeply  hum- 
bled in  His  sight. 

"  I  have  been  preparing  a  'Manual  of  Prayers'  for  the 
young,  and  hope  that  the  Lord  may  graciously  bless  it  for 
much  good.    God  graciously  grant  it! 

"  The  signs  of  the  times  in  the  country  are  very  fear- 
ful. The  Parliamentary  measures  for  the  next  month, 
if  carried,  would  go  far  to  unprotestantize  and  unchris- 
tianize  our  country.  The  Lord  stop  them,  if  it  be  His 
will." 

The  measures  here  condemned  were  the  Bill  for  the  ad- 
mission of  Jews  into  Parliament,  and  that  for  diplomatic 
relations  with  the  court  of  Rome.  To  both  of  these  he 
was  earnestly  opposed,  from  the  most  deliberate  convic- 
tion, as  destructive  of  that  national  testimony  to  Christ 
and  His  truth,  which  he  accounted  the  chief  honor  and 
privilege  of  Britain,  and  the  true  secret  cause  of  our 
national  greatness.  His  views  on  the  former  are  stated  at 
some  length  in  an  Appendix  to  his  "  Guide  to  the  Prophe- 
cies;" while  his  lecture,  a  few  months  before,  on  "Popery 
in  the  Colonies,"  was  a  warning  against  that  destructive 
and  senseless  policy  which  prompted  the  other  measure, 
as  if  to  link  our  nation  with  the  mystic  Babylon  on  the 
very  eve  of  her  judgment. 

On  February  6,  Mr.  Bickersteth's  son  was  admitted  to 
Deacon's  orders  by  the  Bishop  of  Norwich,  and  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday  was  a  time  of  peculiar  interest  to  himself, 
his  family,  and  parish.    He  preached  in  the  morning  on 


MAKR1AGE  OF  HIS  SON. 


337 


2  Tim.  ii.  1.  "Thou,  therefore,  my  son,  be  strong  in  the 
grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus;"  a  sermon,  says  one  who 
was  present,  "almost  heavenly — such  an  opening  out  of 
the  fullness  of  Christ,  that  it  might  well  be  comfort  to  the 
sorrowing,  and  strength  to  the  feeble."  In  the  afternoon 
he  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  his  beloved  son  preach  his 
first  sermon,  to  a  crowded  congregation,  on  1  Cor.  i.  30. 
It  was  a  time  well  suited  to  awaken  a  thankful  review  of 
God's  mercies,  through  forty  years,  since  the  time  when  he 
himself,  at  the  same  age,  began  to  desire  the  ministerial 
office,  and  after  patient  waiting,  had  his  desires  fulfilled, 
so  as  to  be  led  in  a  course  of  ministerial  labors,  crowned 
with  the  largest  and  richest  blessing.  The  next  entries 
in  his  journal,  allude  to  his  son's  marriage,  the  Revolu- 
tion in  France,  and  his  own  impressions  of  past  unfruit- 
ful ness. 

"February  26.  On  Thursday  the  24th,  at  Norwich,  I 
married  my  dear  and  only  son,  Edward,  to  Eosa  Bignold. 
I  have  great  joy  in  hoping  that  the  marriage  will  be  full 
of  blessing.  The  day  this  was  taking  place,  Paris  was 
the  scene  of  another  Revolution,  that  seems  a  step  onward 
to  the  terrible  convulsions  of  the  last  tribulation.  I  also 
preached  at  Norwich  a  Jewish  lecture. 

"  0  that  the  Lord  may  quicken  me  by  His  own  ordi- 
nance. Changes,  traveling,  bustles,  and  distractions,  are 
great  impediments  to  the  steady  following  out  of  earnest 
devotional  exercises. 

"A  fresh  Revolution  seems  to  be  now  opening  a  new 
and  eventful  era  in  European  history — perhaps  the  begin- 
ning of  the  seventh  vial.  The  Lord  prepare  His  people 
for  all  His  purposes. 

"  March  19,  Rugby.  Having  been  called  here  to  preach 
for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  I  spend  my  sixty- 
second  birthday  at  Rugby.  The  last  year  has  been  spe- 
cially full  of  mercies,  particularly  in  my  dear  son's  entrance 
into  the  ministry,  his  happy  marriage,  and  settlement  at 
Banningham,  in  Norfolk.  The  Lord  bless  him,  and  make 
him  a  blessing. 

VOL.  II. — P 


338  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  God  lias  been  very  merciful  to  me,  but  my  returns  to 
Him  are  very  poor  and  ungracious.  It  is  so  difficult  to 
bve  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and  gave 
Himself  for  .me ;  and  when  I  cease  to  do  this,  all  is  dead. 
Prayers  are  formal ;  self-indulgence  creeps  in  at  a  thousand 
crevices,  and  the  work  of  the  ministry  is  neglected. 

"  But  it  becomes  more  and  more  evident,  that  the  day 
of  the  Lord  is  approaching,  and  that  all  His  ministers 
should  be  energetic  and  zealous,  and  sound  an  alarm  in 
His  holy  mountain,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh.  I 
have  entered  on  another  year  of  my  life  ; — oh  that  it  may 
be  more  fruitful  than  any  past  year  in  labors  of  faith  and 
love  !  I  have  been  much  struck  with  St.  Paul's  descrip- 
tion of  approving  himself  as  a  minister  of  God,  in  much 
patience,  afflictions,  necessities,  distresses,  stripes,  im- 
prisonments, tumults,  labors,  watchings,  and  fastings ;  by 
pureness,  by  knowledge,  by  long-suffering,  by  kindness, 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  love  unfeigned,  by  the  word  of  truth, 
by  the  power  of  God,  by  the  armor  of  righteousness  on  the 
right  hand,  and  on  the  left. 

"  What  poor,  little,  puny  ministers  we  are ;  at  least,  I  am. 
Blessed  Savior,  0,  at  length,  touch  my  heart  more  with  the 
fire  of  Thy  love,  and  enable  me  more  to  follow  Paul,  as  he 
followed  Thee.  Seventy  years  is  the  ordinary  term  of 
life.  If  spared  such  a  lengthened  period,  there  would  be 
eight  years  more  of  seed-time  for  eternity.  Lord,  help  me 
to  redeem  the  time  !  to  be  very  watchful,  very  dependent, 
very  prayerful,  very  zealous  for  Thee !  Washed  afresh 
in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  may  I,  with  an  enlarged  heart,  run 
in  the  way  of  Thy  commandments." 

A  few  days  before,  he  wrote  to  his  son,  on  his  return  to 
settle  at  Banningham.  "  Our  hearts  and  thoughts  are 
much  with  you.  Now,  my  children,  form  your  plans 
early.  You  can  easily  modify  them,  but  have  regular 
plans  for  steady  work,  each  hour,  for  the  Lord.  Time  for 
solitary  communion  with  Him,  time  for  social  prayer,  time 
for  family  prayer,  time  for  exercise  out  of  doors,  time  for 
study,  time  for  the  poor  and  for  all  parishioners,  and  time 


REVOLUTIONS  OF  18-18. 


339 


for  conversation  on  all.  In  short,  time  so  laid  out,  as  in 
the  review  will  give  you  most  joy,  and  enable  you  to  do 
most  for  Him,  to  whom  you  owe,  as  we  do,  every  thing. 
The  Lord  make  your  ministry  full  of  blessing. 

"  Order  and  discipline  are  very  good,  as  means  to  an 
end,  but  not  to  be  pressed,  so  as  to  destroy  the  end  itself, 
the  salvation  of  our  hearers.  Show  a  loving  spirit  in  every 
thing  to  Dissenters  who  love  the  Lord,  and  a  forbearing 
spirit  to  others,  and  all  will  work  well  in  the  end.  Your 
difficulties  will  be  more,  as  you  are  successful ;  but  grace 
will  always  be  given." 

"  April  1,  1848.  I  am  losing  my  valuable  Curate,  Mr. 
Ogle.    The  Lord  graciously  supply  the  want. 

"  The  revolutionary  movement  seems  spreading  over 
the  kingdoms  of  Europe ;  Berlin,  Vienna,  Rome,  Naples, 
Turin,  Sicily,  Hanover,  Bavaria,  have  been  undergoing 
great  changes.  The  Lord,  through  all  these,  open  doors 
for  the  spread  of  His  gospel ! 

"  In  the  mean  while  may  my  soul  be  watchful  and 
prayerful ;  may  I  keep  my  garments  unspotted,  and  be 
preserved  from  all  spiritual  defilement  in  these  trying 
times.  I  do  desire  of  the  Lord,  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
these  great  blessings :  that  I  may  be  preserved  from  these 
evils — dishonoring  Him,  injuring  others  in  body,  goods, 
or  soul — defiling  my  inner  man  by  any  allowed  sin  :  that 
I  may  obtain,  from  His  mercy  and  grace,  these  three  great 
blessings — to  glorify  His  great  name,  to  be  a  blessing  in 
every  thing  to  others,  to  grow  continually  in  inward  purity 
and  holiness. 

"  0  Lord,  let  this  ordinance  strengthen  these  desires,  and 
do  Thou  give  to  me  these  blessings ! 

"  April  22. — Easier.  A  great  deal  of  public  business, 
through  the  post,  comes  daily  upon  me,  but  from  a  want 
of  vigorous  self-denial  and  industry,  little  that  is  widely 
useful  comes  forth.  I  am  now  left  alone  for  my  parish 
duties,  and  hope  that  I  may  earnestly  and  faithfully  fulfill 
the  sacred  trust,  for  which  I  am  accountable  to  Thee,  0 
my  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 


340  MEMOIK  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  I  am  struck  with  seeing,  in  all  the  great  French  his- 
tories, and  in  the  present  revolutionary  proceedings,  how 
exactly  France  realizes  the  words — '  They  repented  not 
of  their  evil  deeds,' — 1  they  repented  not,  to  give  Him 
glory.' 

"  The  Lord  grant  me  true  repentance  for  all  my  present 
sins,  and  help  me  to  lie  very  low  in  the  dust  before  Him. 
Truly,  0  Lord,  if  Thou  be  extreme  to  mark  what  I  have 
done  amiss,  I  can  not  for  one  moment  abide  it.  In  every 
character,  in  every  relation  of  life,  I  plead  guilty.  I  have 
nothing  to  mention,  but  only  as  it  is  washed  in  the  blood 
of  Jesus,  that  cleansing,  purifying  blood ;  nor  hope  for 
any  thing  better,  but  in  the  power  of  Thy  quickening  Spirit 
and  strengthening  grace. 

"  May  27.  In  the  last  month  I  have  been  one  week  at 
the  London  Anniversaries,  which  have  been  much  blessed 
this  year ;  another  week  at  Sheffield,  with  visits  to  Man- 
chester and  Nottingham,  and  part  of  a  third  week  in  Lon- 
don at  the  prophetical  lectures,  besides  the  parochial  work, 
which  now  lies  wholly  upon  me. 

"It  is  pleasant  to  work  for  the  Lord ;  only  let  personal 
religion,  heart,  family,  home  and  parish  work,  be  preserved 
from  neglect  and  injury.  I  am  looking  for  another  fellow- 
laborer  :  the  Lord  guide  every  step,  to  His  glory,  and  the 
good  of  my  parish.  I  hope  that  we  may  resume  our  cleri- 
cal meetings  on  an  improved  plan. 

"  I  am  very  anxious  about  the  young  men  of  my 
parish,  who  seem  growing  up  in  a  headstrong,  self-willed 
spirit.  The  Lord  help  me  wisely  to  seek  their  improve- 
ment. 

"  My  'Manual  of  Prayers,'  and  'Child's  Book  of  Prayers,' 
are  now  published.    The  Lord  prosper  them. 

"  June  9.  The  Lord's  mercies  are  innumerable  to  me, 
to  my  wife,  to  my  children,  married  and  unmarried,  and 
my  sick  one,  to  my  servants  and  my  parish.  Oh  how  great 
is  His  goodness ! 

"  I  have  had  to  prepare  two  addresses  for  the  Evangeli- 
cal Alliance ;  one  for  the  missionaries  of  all  Societies, 


REVOLUTIONS  OF  1848. 


341 


and  the  other  to  those  who  have  not  yet  joined  us.  I 
have  also  been  requested  to  prepare  an  Address  on  the 
approaching  Jubilee  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society, 
November  1st.  The  Lord  help  me  in  these  important 
duties. 

"  I  have  been  thinking  how  good  the  Lord  is  in  my 
trials.  While  some,  both  in  and  out  of  my  parish,  prize 
me  too  highly,  some  are  ready  to  find  fault.  The  trial  is 
the  needful  ballast  to  the  mercy.  While  I  am  sO  largely 
blessed  in  the  spiritual  state  of  all  my  children,  the  con- 
stant and  severe  illness  of  one  is  the  needful  ballast  to 
this  mercy.  Let  me  then  be  ever  truly  grateful  for  my 
trial,  and  bear  even  those  things  which  trouble  the  spirit, 
but  yet,  so  far  as  they  come  from  the  Lord,  are  only  mer- 
cies and  blessings. 

"July  I.  0  how  great  are  our  mercies !  What  desola- 
tions and  judgments  the  Lord  is  sending  on  the  nations! 
In  Paris  there  has  been  in  the  last  week  an  insurrection, 
which  was  not  subdued  without  the  loss  of  several  thou- 
sand lives.  Who  are  we,  that  we  should  be  spared  such 
dreadful  evils!  Not  because  of  our  righteousness,  but 
from  the  Lord's  great  mercies. 

"  Lord,  help  me  to  remember  Thee  at  Thy  table,  and 
obtain  there  new  strength  against  corruption,  and  new 
power  to  fulfill  all  my  duties,  to  Thy  glory  and  the  good  of 
others." 

In  a  letter  of  June  29  he  wrote  to  his  son — "  They 
stick  up  in  the  streets  that  35,000  Frenchmen  have  been 
killed  or  wounded  in  the  late  terrible  scenes.  It  is  clear 
that  there  has  been  a  fearful  slaughter!  0  for  the  Lord's 
coming,  and  happy  kingdom!  Our  own  country  is  shaken 
with  the  heavings  of  this  terrible  earthquake." 

"  July  29.  The  last  week  has  been  specially  full  of 
mercies.  My  dear  brother  John  from  Acton,  my  son  from 
Banningham,  my  son-in-law,  his  wife  and  child,  have  been 
staying  with  us.  At  our  Pastoral  Aid  meeting  we  had  a 
larger  attendance  than  before,  and  more  abundant  con- 
tributions.   This  evening  three  Africans,  George  Nicol, 


342 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Thomas  Maxwell,  and  Thomas  Macauley  came  from  Lon- 
don, to  visit  the  old  African  visitor  of  the  Church  Mission- 
ary Society.    All  glory  be  to  God. 

"  I  visited  Sir  Culling  Eardley  at  Belvidere,  and  found  it 
a  profitable  and  refreshing  season,  preaching  on  board  the 
Thames  Church  Ship  at  Erith." 

The  visit  of  the  three  African  youths,  from  the  Institu- 
tion at  Islington,  was  full  of  interest  to  Mr.  Bickersteth, 
and  awoke  his  grateful  recollection  of  the  Divine  goodness. 
Thirty-three  years  had  passed  since  his  own  voyage  to 
Africa,  when  he  admitted  the  first-fruits  of  the  Society's 
labors  to  the  table  of  the  Lord — six  boys  from  one  of  the 
native  schools,  whom  he  had  himself  examined  and  pre- 
pared for  that  sacred  service.  The  little  one  was  now  be- 
come a  thousand.  More  than  13,000  communicants  had  been 
gathered  into  the  fold  of  Christ,  in  various  parts  of  the 
heathen  world ;  and  in  Africa  itself  the  cords  were  lengthen- 
ing daily,  native  Africans  were  preparing  to  spread  the 
Gospel  among  their  sable  countrymen,  and  Abbeokouta, 
an  off-shoot  from  Sierra  Leone,  had  assumed  its  place 
among  the  twelve  leading  fields  of  labor,  now  occupied  by 
the  Society.  It  was  an  interesting  sight  to  see  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth, in  his  own  school-room,  introduce  his  three  visitors 
to  his  own  people,  and  then  cede  his  own  place  to  them, 
that  they  might  speak  of  the  gracious  Providence  by 
which  they  had  been  rescued  from  slavery  and  heathenism, 
and  were  prepared  to  go  forth  shortly  as  messengers  of 
grace  to  their  own  brethren.  They  came  to  Watton  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  the  communion  at  his  hands,  and 
the  contrast  with  that  earlier  communion,  on  the  shore  of 
Africa,  might  well  awaken  the  feeling,  What  hath  God 
wrought ! 

"  August  26.  How  good  the  Lord  is,  day  by  day ! 
The  Bible  and  Church  Missionary  Meetings  at  Hertford 
were  full  of  interesting  details,  and  our  collection  at 
Watton  just  double  that  of  last  year.  I  have  been  writing- 
tracts  for  the  Jubilee,  and  shall  be  very  thankful  if  the 
Lord  bless  them  to  the  furtherance  of  His  cause.    I  have 


LETTERS. 


343 


also  been  appointed  to  preach  one  of  the  Jubilee  Sermons 
in  London,  and  felt  it  a  duty  to  comply;  and  God  has 
disposed  the  beloved  Archbishop  Sumner  to  agree  to 
preach  the  other. 

"  But,  in  the  midst  of  blessings,  signs  of  judgment 
abound.  The  potato-crop  has  again  failed,  and  the  weather 
has  been  such  as  to  injure  the  general  harvest,  while  the 
cholera  seems  impending  on  our  shores.  While  Govern- 
ment is  passing  a  Bill  for  Diplomatic  Relations  with 
Rome,  God  himself  seems  destroying  the  Pope's  temporal 
power.  0  that  the  Lord  may  deliver  our  rulers  from  the 
infatuation  of  being  reconciled  to  Antichrist.  At  such 
times  how  important  is  the  office  to  which  I  am  called, 
rightly  to  improve  the  present  season,  as  to  our  national 
duty  in  more  extended  missions  to  the  heathen ! 

"  I  hope  that  I  have  been  favored  with  more  earnest 
communion  with  God  in  some  seasons  of  private  devotion ; 
but  there  is  great  room  for  quite  another  standing  of  com- 
munion and  devotedness.  0  that  the  Lord  may  give  it 
me !  May  I  shrink  from  every  defilement  of  the  inner 
man,  and  may  the  light  in  my  soul  be  purer,  brighter, 
and  more  blessed  to  others ! 

"  Please  God,  in  the  next  month  I  go  to  my  son  at 
Banningham,  and  to  Cromer,  Yarmouth  and  Norwich  for 
the  Church  Missionary  Society,  and  then  to  Liverpool  for 
the  Colonial  Church  Society." 

Several  notes  to  his  children  were  written  on  this 
journey. 

Banningham,  September  15. 

My  beloved  F. 

The  sick  one  has  the  strongest  claim,  from  her  very  weakness, 
on  the  absent  father  ;  and  so  I  begin  my  letters  with  one  to  you. 
And  if  it  be  so  in  earthly  parental  love,  which  is  only  a  drop  from 
the  ocean,  it  must  be  infinitely  more  so  in  heavenly  parental  love, 
the  very  ocean  from  which  all  other  love  originally  comes.  .  .  . 

My  child  is  called  to  glorify  God  in  a  more  difficult  path  than 
her  father  has  to  walk  in  ;  by  quiet,  patient,  confiding,  and  loving 
acquiescence  in  the  Lord's  will,  amid  daily  suffering ;  and  I  re- 


344  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


joice  to  see  how  the  Holy  Spirit  is  mightily  aiding  her  to  learn 
the  lesson,  which  will  help  her  joy  forever.  I  have  to  wait  on 
Him  and  to  walk  with  Him,  in  active  work,  and  there  is  great 
danger  of  losing  the  fellowship,  even  in  the  midst  of  the  Master's 
own  work.  But  He  is  all-sufficient  for  us  hoth,  and  will  never 
leave  us,  till  He  has  accomplished  His  own  good  pleasure  in  us  and 
by  us.  Let  us  ever  joy  in  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
My  hearty  love  to  your  sisters.  Remember  me  to  the  servants, 
and  to  our  friends  about  you.  .  .  . 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

Banningham,  September  18. 

We  had  a  very  happy  Sunday  yesterday.  The  four  parents  and 
their  two  children  met,  and  we  had  the  Lord's  Supper  in  Ban- 
ningham Church,  with  about  twenty-five  communicants.  I 
preached  in  the  afternoon  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  and 
in  the  evening  at  Felmingham,  for  the  Jews,  and  go  with  Edward, 
pleaso  God,  to  Cromer  to-night,  and  to  Yarmouth  to-morrow.  The 
most  delightful  thing  to  me  was  to  hear  my  dear  son  preach  a 
very  faithful  sermon  on  Luke  xii.  32,  and  to  be  cheered  by  the 
hope  that  the  Lord  will  be  gracious  to  him,  as  He  has  been  to 
his  father,  in  blessing  him  to  promote  His  holy  and  happy  king- 
dom. Few  parents  have  so  much  cause,  as  we  have,  to  glorify 
the  Lord  of  all  for  His  goodness  to  their  children  ;  and  all  lesser 
trials  may  well  be  swallowed  up  in  this  unspeakable  mercy.  .  .  . 

I  am  engaged  continually  in  the  work  of  our  blessed  Master 
here  ;  and  I  trust  my  dear  children  do  not  cease  to  pray  for  me, 
as  we  do  for  them. 

Caistor,  September  22. 

My  beloved  sick  one, 
A  father's  heart  yearns  after  his  afflicted  child,  going  through 
lengthened  trials ;  but  a  better,  wiser,  more  loving,  heavenly 
Father  directs  it  all.  A  Savior  sits  by  as  a  refiner  and  purifier, 
watching  over  all.  It  will  not  last  one  moment  more  than  He 
sees  good,  for  the  best  good  of  my  child,  her  sisters  and  brothers, 
her  kind  nurse  and  servants,  and  the  parish,  and  a  far  wider 
circle  ;  and  then,  too,  for  a  far  higher  object — His  own  glory,  in 
buffeting  Satan  by  a  weak  earthen  vessel,  and  the  perpetual  ex- 


CHURCH  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE. 


345 


pulsion  of  that  malignant  foe,  from  a  temple  which  the  Lord  will 
consecrate  to  Himself  forever. 

0  how  much  is  suffering  better  than  sin,  and  victory  over 
temptation  better  than  not  being  tried  (Rom.  i.  2  ;  Rev.  ii.  10), 
and  the  haven  after  a  storm,  than  to  have  had  no  experience  of 
the  power,  wisdom,  and  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord,  in  carrying 
us  safely  over  every  stormy  wave.  .  .  . 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  October  28.  Glory  be  to  God  for  all  his  mercy,  in 
carrying  me  through  trying  duties,  and  prospering  me 
hitherto  in  His  work.  Next  week  is  important  in  various 
respects.  On  Monday  I  observe  the  Jubilee  by  preaching 
and  a  meeting  at  Watton.  On  Tuesday  I  go  up,  please 
God,  to  London,  and  preach  my  Jubilee  Sermon  at  St. 
Ann's.  On  Wednesday  the  Archbishop  preaches ;  Thurs- 
day is  the  Jubilee  meeting;  and  Friday  evening,  the 
Young  Men's  Church  Missionary  meeting,  when  I  am  to 
be  in  the  chair.  0  Lord  God,  my  Strength  and  my  Re- 
deemer, assist  me  and  Thy  servants  in  these  weighty  duties 
and  engagements,  and  grant  that  they  may  be  full  of  bless- 
ing to  many  souls ! 

"  On  the  14th,  please  God,  I  am  to  go  to  York,  where 
the  Archbishop  of  York  is  to  be  in  the  chair.  May  all 
these  efforts  very  widely  awaken  the  Missionary  feeling 
through  the  country.  And,  O  Lord,  kindle  in  my  heart 
true  zeal  for  Thee,  and  true  love  to  Thy  cause ! 

" November  25.  Through  God's  great  goodness  I  have 
been  carried  through  my  duties.  Through  his  loving- 
kindness  the  Jubilee  has  been  accompanied  by  many 
blessings  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  Glory  be  to  His 
holy  name.  I  hope  also  that  good  is  doing  in  my  own 
parish,  through  the  labors  of  my  children.  0  for  more 
of  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication !  Lord,  grant  Thy 
grace  for  this  end." 

The  season  of  the  Church  Missionary  J ubilee  was  an 
era  in  Mr.  Bickersteth's  life,  as  well  as  in  the  history  of 

p* 


346  MEMOIR  OF  EDU'AKD  BICKERSTETH. 

the  Society.  He  had  been  a  member  of  it  for  more  than 
forty  years  ;  and  for  three  and  thirty  years,  which  was  two 
thirds  of  its  whole  existence,  had  been  one  of  its  most  ac- 
tive and  zealous  friends.  Fifteen  years  he  had  labored  as 
one  of  its  official  secretaries ;  and  the  eighteen  years  since 
his  resignation,  had  been  marked  by  annual  journeys  to 
plead  its  cause  in  almost  every  part  of  the  kingdom.  He 
had  joined  it  while  he  was  still  a  clerk  in  the  Post-Office, 
and  when  it  was  comparatively  unknown  ;  he  had  found- 
ed one  of  its  auxiliaries  when  he  was  a  layman  at  Norwich ; 
his  first  work,  as  an  ordained  minister,  had  been  to  visit 
its  African  stations  ;  he  had  admitted  there  to  the  Lord's 
table  the  first-fruits  of  its  heathen  converts  ;  he  had  toiled 
in  its  cause,  when  it  was  still  exposed  to  obloquy  and  re- 
proach, and  neglected  or  discountenanced  by  those  who 
should  naturally  have  been  its  patrons;  and  now,  in  its 
old  age,  amid  the  convulsion  and  overthrow  of  earthly 
thrones  and  kingdoms,  he  joined  his  brethren  in  celebrat- 
ing the  mercies  of  the  Lord  in  its  growth  and  prosperity, 
and  was  called  to  share,  with  the  Primate  of  All  England, 
the  honorable  and  blessed  office  of  recounting  those  mer- 
cies, and  publicly  enforcing  its  claims  on  British  Christians. 
His  Tract,  entitled  "  A  Pastoral  Address  to  British  Chris- 
tians on  the  proposed  Jubilee, "  was  very  widely  circulated 
before  the  time  arrived.  On  Wednesday  evening,  Octo- 
ber 31,  a  crowded  congregation  assembled  in  St.  Ann's, 
Blackfriars,  the  church  where  Scott,  Simeon,  Cecil,  Bid- 
dulph,  Venn,  Robinson,  Eichmond,  Buchanan,  had  suc- 
cessively pleaded  its  causes  in  early  years,  to  hear  him,  as 
its  oldest  surviving  Secretary,  proclaim  with  the  silver 
trumpet  of  the  Gospel  its  blessed  year  of  Jubilee.  His 
text  on  this  occasion  was  Rev.  xiv.  6,  and  the  Sermon  is 
printed  at  length  in  the  Jubilee  "Volume  of  the  Society. 
His  intimate  connection  with  the  whole  progress  of  its  work 
will  justify  the  insertion  of  one  extract,  in  which  he  re- 
views the  course  of  its  labors,  and  invites  his  fellow-Chris- 
tians to  more  abundant  thanksgiving  for  its  success. 


CHURCH  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE. 


347 


"  Feeble,  like  all  the  great  works  of  God,  the  Society,  in  its 
first  appearance,  seemed  little  likely  to  effect  much  on  the  earth. 
But  God  raised  up  the  men,  both  home  and  abroad,  and  fitted 
them  for  His  own  work.  Its  first  preacher,  the  venerable  com- 
mentator, Thomas  Scott ;  its  most  efficient  secretary  for  twenty- 
two  years,  my  beloved  and  departed  friend,  Josiah  Pratt,  whose 
heart  would  indeed  have  been  filled  with  joy  in  reviewing  with  us 
these  fifty  years  of  mercies  ;  the  departed  Venn,  who  modeled  the 
rules  under  which  we  have  acted  ;  these,  with  others  dear  to  us 
all,  and  our  lay  brethren,  Grant,  Wilberforce,  and  Admiral  Gam- 
bier,  laid  the  foundations.  But  Melville  Home,  who  went  as 
Chaplain  to  Sierra  Leone,  by  his  celebrated  letters  in  1794,  emi- 
nently prepared  the  way  for  British  Missions.  The  Society  sent 
forth  its  first  two  missionaries  in  its  sixth  year.  They  gradually 
increased,  but  for  seventeen  years  it  had  none  of  the  converted 
heathen  that  its  missionaries  could  welcome  to  the  Lord's  table. 
Unhealthy  climates  cut  off  many  of  its  laborers,  and  its  first  En- 
glish missionaries  were  only  sent  out  in  1816.  But  the  Lord  sus- 
tained the  faith  of  its  conductors  and  contributors,  and  enabled 
them  to  persevere.  In  1816,  on  my  visit  to  West  Africa,  I  had 
the  opportunity  of  placing  Johnson  at  Regent's  Town,  and  Dur- 
ing at  Gloucester,  who  were  so  owned  of  God.  I  had  also  the 
privilege  of  finding  some  in  a  prepared  state  for  the  communion  ; 
and  on  Easter  Day,  1816,  I  admitted  the  first  six  communicants 
to  the  Lord's  table,  at  Bashia,  on  the  Rio  Pongas.  It  has  now 
twelve  missions,  in  West  Africa,  Abbeokouta,  the  Mediterranean, 
East  Africa,  Western  India,  North  India,  South  India,  Ceylon, 
China,  New  Zealand,  the  West  Indies,  and  North-west  America. 
In  these  its  missionaries  preach  the  gospel  in  twenty  different 
tongues,  and  congregations  worship  in  our  liturgy  in  seventeen 
languages.  It  has  102  stations,  138  ordained  clergyman,  of  whom 
fourteen  are  natives,  and  1312  lay  teachers.  From  places  whence 
we  have  returns,  not  including  one  of  our  principal  missions,  New 
Zealand,  we  have  561  schools,  and  23,965  scholars.  Glory  be  to 
our  God.  There  are  also  now  13,010  communicants  in  our  dif- 
ferent missions.  If  the  Apostle  could  say,  within  sixty  years  from 
the  birth  of  Christ,  '  Their  sound  went  into  all  the  earth,  and 
their  words  unto  the  ends  of  the  world,'  now  that  the  utmost  re- 
gions of  our  earth  have  been  unvailed,  we  may  adopt  in  a  yet 
larger  sense  the  same  heart-cheering  language,  '  Glory  be  to 


348 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


God  on  high,  on  earth  peace,  good-will  toward  men  !'  0  excel- 
ling and  heart-gladdening  review  !  which  shows  us  that  there  are 
thousands,  once  in  heathen  darkness,  who  are  now  become  the 
salt  of  the  earth  and  the  light  of  the  world,  to  all  who  are  around 
them.  Yes,  thousands  in  different  classes,  of  different  colors,  and 
different  tongues,  but  who  all  believe  in  the  same  Savior,  have 
received  and  know  and  obey  His  word,  and  worship  Him  in  our 
beautiful  prayers  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  sing  His  praises,  commem- 
orate His  dying  love  at  His  table,  and  tell  others  of  His  grace,  and 
hope  for  His  glory.  The  sending  of  the  gospel  has  also  every- 
where been  the  revival  of  the  gospel  at  home.  In  the  apathy 
and  darkness  of  the  Protestant  Churches,  we  might  have  lost  our 
Christianity,  had  we  not  the  reviving  home  reaction  of  our  For- 
eign Missions,  realizing  the  Divine  promise — 'Give,  and  it  shall 
be  given  to  you.'  '  He  that  watereth  shall  be  watered  also  him- 
self.' .  .  Oh  !  let  us  praise  our  God,  as  we  ought,  heartily,  fully, 
and  consistently.  This  is  the  right  improvement  of  past  success  ; 
this  is  the  sure  precursor  of  triumphs  to  come  !  Let  us  realize 
the  predicted  position  of  the  Church  of  God  in  the  last  days — 
'  Ye  shall  have  a  song,  as  in  the  night  when  a  holy  solemnity  is 
kept,  and  gladness  of  heart,  as  when  one  goeth  with  a  pipe,  to 
come  into  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  Mighty  One  of  Israel.' 
This  is  the  true,  fearless,  and  blessed  position,  amid  all  earthly 
shakings,  of  the  children  of  the  living  God,  who  have  received  a 
kingdom  that  can  not  be  moved,  and  belong  to  that  glorious 
Church  of  which  our  Lord  Jesus  is  the  Head  and  Monarch." 

His  address  at  the  public  meeting,  October  2d,  began  in 
the  same  spirit  of  earnest  praise. 

"  Glory  be  to  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  for  the  scenes  He  has 
permitted  us  to  witness  during  the  last  few  days  i  Glory  be 
to  God,  that  we  have  been  permitted  to  see,  in  this  great  metrop- 
olis, such  gatherings  of  His  servants  in  the  truly  Christian  cause 
of  missions  to  the  heathen.  Amid  the  shaking  of  the  whole  earth, 
amid  the  revolutions  which  are  overturning  kingdoms,  and  dynas- 
ties, and  thrones,  the  Christian  Church  in  this  land  is  graciously 
permitted  to  hold  this  happy  jubilee !  We  can  not  thank  God 
sufficiently  for  what  He  has  done  for  us.  Never  was  it  more  need- 
ful that  the  Church  should  continue  steadfast  in  the  faith,  and 


CHURCH  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE. 


349 


exhibit  to  the  world  a  glorious  light  in  the  midst  of  the  darkness, 
holding  forth  the  word  of  life.  The  falsehood  and  failure  of 
all  worldly  schemes,  makes  our  duty  to  glorify  God,  by  diff  using 
His  means  of  blessing  the  world,  more  manifest.  Men  may  now 
see  that  no  real  good  can  be  conferred  on  mankind,  but  by  His 
gospel,  and  the  regenerating  and  sanctifying  influence  of  His 
Spirit.  The  great  object  we  ought  to  keep  in  view  is  to  make 
our  Church  a  really  missionary  Church  ;  and  then,  through  the 
Church  of  Christ,  the  nation  must  and  will  become  a  teally  mis- 
sionary nation.  .  .  Britain  will  never  be  destroyed  while  Britain 
is  zealous  for  God.  This  is  our  surest  bulwark,  the  protection  of 
the  Lord." 

In  two  notes,  a  few  days  after,  he  alludes  to  the  joy  of 
this  happy  season. 

November  6. 

My  beloved  E.  and  R. 
....  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  all  went  on  prosperously 
to  the  end.  The  dinner  at  Mr.  Venn's,  the  evening  sermon  on 
1  Thess.  iv.  16,  and  the  conversation  afterward  on  Thursday 
evening,  were  deeply  interesting.  On  the  Friday  morning  such  a 
meeting  and  breakfast,  and  addresses  at  the  Institution,  I  never 
witnessed,  for  love  and  deep  instruction  and  joy.  An  important 
Irish  Committee  Meeting,  and  then  the  Young  Men's  Meeting  in 
the  evening,  crowned  the  whole  of  this  memorable  week  of  ju- 
bilee. From  my  conversation  with  ,  I  hope  we  may  estab- 
lish a  M  ssion  in  the  Holy  Land.  It  is  very  pleasant  to  me  that 
you  had  a  part,  not  only  in  seeing  it,  but  in  helping  it  by  your 
hymns.    God  bless  my  dear  children. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

November  7. 

My  dear  Mr.  Smith, 
...  I  never  spent  such  a  remarkable  four  days  of  Jubilee  days 
in  London.  It  was  really  heaven  upon  earth.  .The  dismission  of 
the  missionaries  on  Tuesday,  the  Archbishop's  Sermon,  and  the 
five  or  six  hundred  communicants  on  Wednesday,  the  immense 
public  meeting  on  Thursday,  the  meeting  of  the  old  missionaries 
and  missionary  students,  on  Friday  morning,  and  the  crowded 
meeting  of  young  men  in  Freemasons'  Hall  on  P'riday  evening, 


350  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

were  specially  interesting.  Had  you  been  able  to  have  been 
present,  I  feel  assured,  Mr.  Smith  would  have  had  increased  joy 
in  all  the  support  which  God  has  enabled  him  to  give  to  a  cause 

so  emphatically  His  own  I  spent  an  hour,  along  with 

two  or  three  friends,  with  the  Archbishop  after  his  sermon,  and 
thanked  God  for  the  remarkable  spirit  of  meekness  and  of  wisdom, 
which  God  has  given  him.  I  feel  assured  that  he  is  raised  up, 
in  a  most  critical  period,  to  be  a  blessing  to  our  church  and  to  the 
world.    A  Pastor's  prayers  and  best  wishes  for  all. 

Verv  truly  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


IRISH  CHURCH  MISSIONS — LATEST  JOURNEYS. 
A.  D.  1849. 

The  influence  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  in  his  last  years,  was 
so  widely  felt,  and  the  works  of  benevolence  in  which  he 
took  an  active  part  were  so  various,  that  a  full  account 
of  all  the  subjects  which  occupied  him  from  day  to  day, 
would  almost  require  a  large  volume  of  Church  history. 
Beyond  the  immediate  circle  of  his  family  and  parish,  he 
was  the  mainspring  of  religious  activity  in  his  own  county, 
where  most  of  the  Societies  had  been  set  on  foot,  and 
some  of  them  were  chiefly  maintained,  by  his  efforts. 
He  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  missions,  among  the 
Irish,  on  the  Continent,  to  the  Jews,  and  to  the  heathen 
world.  He  also  labored  zealously,  both  in  his  numerous 
writings,  and  by  his  public  addresses,  to  resist  the  inroads 
of  Popery,  to  maintain  the  national  testimony  to  Christ, 
and  to  promote  peace  and  love  among  evangelical  Prot- 
estants; while  as  a  preacher  and  writer  on  the  subject 
of  prophecy,  he  fulfilled  the  office,  in  a  time  of  startling 
and  convulsive  changes,  of  a  heedful  watchman  to  the 
Church  of  Christ.  The  unobtrusive  simplicity  of  his  zeal, 
and  the  variety  of  his  exertions,  makes  it  difficult  to  con- 
vey a  just  impression  of  their  collective  amount,  and  of 
the  real  eminence  of  blessing  and  usefulness  which  he  had 
attained.  His  course  was  like  that  of  a  river,  which  sends 
a  thousand  little  streams  into  the  adjoining  valleys,  and 
loses  in  apparent  volume,  only  by  enlarging  the  range  of 
its  fertilizing  influence.    It  is  impossible,  within  a  few 


352  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


pages,  to  give  a  full  view  of  all  those  fields  of  Christian 
activity  in  which  he  labored.  The  notices  in  his  monthly 
journal,  during  the  last  year  of  his  life,  will  give  occasion 
for  a  few  remarks  on  those  which  were  most  characteristic 
and  important. 

The  first  entry  after  the  Jubilee  alludes  to  his  domestic 
mercies,  and  to  several  events  of  public  interest,  in  which 
he  was  actively  occupied  on  his  return  from  those  happy 
and  quickening  services. 

"  December  25,  1848.  Goodness  and  mercy,  O  how 
great  they  are  to  one  so  unworthy  !  God  has  placed  me 
in  a  position  of  wide  influence,  but  I  by  no  means  use  it 
as  I  ought,  for  his  glory  in  the  good  of  others.  But  His 
blessings  abound.  He  has  given  me  another  grandchild, 
the  first-born  of  my  son.  He  is  using  me  in  making  our 
Special  Fund  a  means  of  Church  Missions  to  the  Roman 
Catholics  of  Ireland. 

"The  triumphs  of  the  Jubilee  are  accompanied  by  one 
humbling  lesson  to  us  all.  Mr.  Baptist  Noel  has  left  our 
Church,  .  .  .  which,  with  all  its  defects,  I  believe  to  have 
been  God's  gracious  and  chief  means  of  blessing  our  coun- 
try, and  making  it  a  blessing  to  the  world.  The  Lord 
avert  the  evil,  and  bring  great  good  out  of  it. 

"I  have  been  preaching,  this  Advent,  on  the  Church  of 
Christ,  in  the  position  of  waiting  for  the  Lord's  coming. 
I  have  engaged  to  speak  on  "Wednesday  at  the  Sabbath 
Prize  Essay  Meeting,  and  to  go  to  Brighton  on  the  6th,  for 
the  Jubilee.    The  Lord  strengthen  me  for  these  duties ! 

"  This  winter  my  children  have  established  a  working 
school  for  the  young  women,  and  adult  evening  schools 
for  the  young  men,  which  I  hope  will  meet  the  wants  of 
two  inaccessible  classes." 

The  event  just  referred  to  naturally  caused  Mr,  Bick- 
ersteth  deep  regret,  and  involved  him  in  a  large  correspon- 
dence ;  but  it  seems  undesirable  to  enter  into  any  details. 
With  a  deep  and  heartfelt  sorrow  for  many  practical  de- 
fects and  abuses  in  the  Church  of  England,  growing  years 
had  rather  strengthened,  than  weakened,  his  conscientious 


THE  LORD'S  DAY  SOCIETY. 


353 


and  deliberate  attachment  to  it,  as  the  noblest  witness  to 
Divine  truth  on  the  face  of  the  earth ;  and  as  affording, 
in  spite  of  the  laxity  of  its  discipline,  abundant  helps, 
wherever  there  was  a  faithful  and  zealous  ministry,  for  the 
quiet,  practical  growth  of  true  godliness.  His  growing 
desire  for  union  with  true  Christians  of  other  bodies  was 
no  result  of  diminished  love  to  his  own  Church,  but  of  a 
fuller  and  deeper  sense  of  the  supreme  importance  of 
those  great  common  truths  which  they  all  believed,  and 
of  which  the  secret  glory  dawned  more  and  more  upon 
him,  as  he  drew  nearer  to  the  borders  of  eternity.  His 
own  view  of  his  friend's  work  was  summed  up  in  a  sen- 
tence written  soon  after.  "  Most  of  the  arguments  would 
apply  to  the  Divine  ordinance  of  marriage.  There  are  so 
many  unhappy  marriages,  and  so  many  bad  husbands  and 
wives;  therefore  marriage  is  so  very  mischievous."  But 
his  chief  regret  arose  from  his  fear,  not  that  Churchmen 
would  be  led  to  copy  Mr.  Noel's  example,  but  that  they 
would  be  repelled  from  that  cause  of  Christian  union, 
which  had  become  increasingly  dear  to  his  own  heart. 

The  distribution  of  prizes  to  Working  Men,  for  Essays 
on  the  Sabbath,  at  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  was  present, 
cheered  his  mind  as  a  hopeful  sign,  amid  so  many  causes 
of  fear  and  alarm.  He  had  written  one  of  the  Tracts, 
which  were  contributed  by  several  distinguished  men  on 
this  important  subject,  with  the  title  "  The  Spiritual  Ob- 
servance of  the  Lord's  Day,"  and  had  taken  a  lively  in- 
terest in  the  general  movement.  When  some  of  the 
successful  Essays,  out  of  more  than  a  thousand  which 
had  been  sent  in  by  working-men,  were  published  by  the 
Religious  Tract  Society,  he  readily  complied  with  the 
Avish  of  the  Committee,  and  prefaced  the  volume  with  a 
short  introduction.  The  Sabbath  had  long  been  to  him 
"  a  delight,  holy  to  the  Lord,  and  honorable  ;"  and  from 
forty  years'  experience  of  the  greatness  of  the  blessing, 
he  was  earnest  in  his  desires  for  its  fuller  private  and  na- 
tional observance,  and  a  branch  of  the  Lord's  Day  Society 
had  been  set  up  in  his  own  county  by  his  exertions. 


354 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICEERSTETH. 


"  January  27,  1849.  Mercies  encompass  me  largely. 
The  meeting  for  delivering  the  prizes  was  a  very  useful 
one,  and  I  have  to  bless  God  for  the  Brighton  Jubilee.  A 
first  grand-son  has  been  added  to  my  family.  Glory  be  to 
the  Lord.  May  He  continue  His  grace  to  all  my  children 
from  generation  to  generation. 

"  The  whole  work  of  the  parish  is  now  upon  me.  The 
more  regular  duties  are  these  : 

O 

"  Sunday  :  Bible  class — morning  and  afternoon  service 
— and  evening  lecture. 

"  Monday  :  Cottage  Lecture — catechizing  the  children 
— and  Parish  Friends'  Meeting,  in  different  classes, 
weekly. 

"  Wednesday :  Wempstead  Lecture  in  the  afternoon — 
"Watton  Lecture  in  the  evening. 

"  Thursday  :  Adult  Evening  School. 

"  Friday :  Cottage  Lecture — Adult  Evening  School. 

"  Saturday :  Prayer-meeting  at  the  Rectory. 

"  O  may  the  Lord  pour  out  His  Spirit  on  these  means, 
for  without  Him  none  can  prosper.  I  feel  sadly  how 
easy  it  is  to  go  through  a  round  of  religious  duties,  with- 
out any  heart-communion  with  God.  Vain  thoughts, 
pride,  and  neglect  of  self-denying  duties,  still  beset  me. 
0  how  low  shall  I  stand  at  the  last !  Only  the  wonders 
of  redeeming  grace  and  love  can  at  all  help  me  in  the  day 
of  Christ. 

"Lord,  let  this  first  communion  of  the  year  be  blessed, 
as  a  help  to  my  own  soul,  as  well  as  to  my  people. 
Amen." 

The  love  of  children  had  always  been  one  feature  of 
Mr.  Bickersteth's  character,  and  his  three  grand-children 
naturally  came  in  for  a  large  share  of  his  affection.  Two 
notes  to  his  son  at  this  time  express  the  habitual  feelings 
of  his  heart. 

Watton,  Jan.  19. 

My  beloved  E.  and  R. 
It  is  very  pleasant  to  hear  of  you  both,  and  of  our  little  grand- 
child.   I  am  so  rich  now  with  three  grand-children,  I  may  well 


PAROCHIAL  LABORS. 


355 


be  very  thankful.  My  brother  John  tells  me  he  has  twelve  ;  so, 
altogether,  the  Bickersteth  tribes  are  growing.  0  that  they  may 
all  belong  to  the  sealed  tribes,  that  shall  stand  with  the  Lord 
on  Mount  Zion. 

The  difficulty  of  leaving  a  parish,  now  of  950,  without  a  cu- 
rate, obliged  me  to  give  up  visiting  you  ;  but  how  I  rejoiced  to 
hear  that  our  beloved  friend,  Captain  Trotter,  is  coming  to  the 
baptism.  It  is  truly  kind  and  Christian.  Our  poor  F.  continues 
our  cross  and  our  blessing.  We  seldom  keep  very  near  to  God, 
but  when  we  have  a  burden  for  Him  to  bear ;  only  too  often  we 
are  unconscious  of  our  worst  burden,  that  should  ever  bring  us 
near  to  Him. 

Our  hearts  will  be  much  with  you  on  your  birth-day.  Believe 
me,  my  dear  children, 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  Bickersteth. 

January  23. 

My  beloved  Edward, 
We  can  not  but  write  a  few  lines  for  your  birth-day,  though  I 
have  just  been  to  Kelshall  and  back,  to  fetch  your  mamma,  and 
see  your  sister  and  her  babe.  Glory  be  to  God  for  the  many  and 
great  mercies  which  you  have  received  in  the  last  year  ;  a  min- 
istry, a  wife,  a  child,  and  a  first  published  book.  It  has  indeed 
been  an  eventful  year  to  you  ;  and  so  the  years  to  come  are 
loaded  with  deeply  important  events,  full  of  goodness,  and  full  of 
mercy,  because  Christ  is  our  Shepherd,  and  He  restores  and  leads 
us.  May  He  bless  you  both,  and  my  grand-child,  more  and 
more. 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  Bickersteth. 

His  parish  engagements  now  occupied  much  of  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  time.  From  October,  1844,  to  April,  1846, 
while  his  son  was  at  College,  he  had  dispensed  with  the 
aid  of  a  Curate ;  until  his  severe  accident,  by  disabling 
him  from  active  work,  led  him  to  seek  for  help  again. 
Mr.  Ogle,  who  had  previously  had  a  charge  at  Wellington, 
was  led  to  offer  his  services,  partly  from  a  wish  to  benefit 
by  intercourse  with  one  so  highly  esteemed  in  the  Lord's 


356  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

work;  and  continued  to  labor  zealously,  and  with  marks 
of  the  Divine  blessing,  till  he  was  called  away,  in  April. 
1848,  to  another  sphere.  Though  no  signal  revival  of 
religion,  at  any  one  time,  had  taken  place  during  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  stay  at  Watton,  there  had  been  a  gradual 
progress.  The  number  of  communicants,  which  was 
about  twenty-five  when  he  first  came,  had  increased  to  an 
average  attendance  of  more  than  eighty  persons,  and 
sometimes  above  a  hundred  met  around  the  Lord's  table, 
as  at  the  communion  before  the  Missionary  Jubilee.  The 
word  of  God,  though  the  results  were  far  short  of  what 
their  pastor  earnestly  desired,  had  not  been  spoken  among 
them  in  vain,  and  many  a  peaceful  and  holy  death-bed 
had  borne  witness  to  the  blessed  power  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ. 

The  Bible  Class,  which  stands  first  among  the  Sabbath 
engagements,  was  a  little  company  of  from  twelve  to 
twenty,  old  or  middle-aged  men,  who  met  in  the  chancel 
at  ten  o'clock,  to  read  a  chapter,  and  hear  Mr.  Bickersteth 
give  a  simple  explanation.  At  eleven  the  morning  ser- 
vice began,  and  when  he  was  without  a  Curate,  Mr.  Hud- 
son, a  clergyman  residing  near,  and  who  attended  the 
Church,  assisted  him  by  reading  the  morning  prayers,  so 
as  to  enable  him  to  keep  up  the  Bible  Class,  along  with 
three  other  services.  He  preached  from  notes,  and  usu- 
ally continued  the  subject  of  the  morning  in  the  afternoon. 
His  style  was  earnest,  homely,  and  above  all,  affectionate. 
His  really  spiritual  hearers  prized  his  sermons  for  their 
ripened  fullness  of  Divine  truth,  while  the  attention,  even 
of  the  careless,  was  often  secured  by  their  heartiness  of 
tone,  and  the  plainness  of  his  illustrations.  There  was 
seldom  or  never  the  logical  continuity  of  a  sustained  ar- 
gument, or  the  lofty  style  of  a  fervid  and  poetical  imagi- 
Tiation,  but  clear  divisions,  fullness  of  thought,  simplicity 
of  statement,  and  warm-hearted  earnestness  of  love.  The 
evening  lecture  was  held  in  the  school-room.  In  this  he 
frequently  took  a  course  in  the  Epistles,  Psalms,  or  Gos- 
pels, and  at  one  time  went  in  succession  through  the  Arti- 


PAROCHIAL  LABORS. 


357 


cles  and  Services  of  the  Church.  His  expositions  were 
perhaps  more  striking  than  his  sermons,  especially  those  in 
family  worship.  Few  have  ever  had  more  power  to  seize 
the  force  and  scope  of  a  Scriptural  passage,  or  to  bring 
out  its  lessons,  with  such  loving  and  simple  energy  to 
reach  the  understandings,  and  touch  the  hearts,  even  of 
his  simplest  hearers. 

The  "Cottage  Lecture,"  one  of  which,  at  this  time,  was 
held  on  Monday,  and  the  other  on  Friday,  at  the  opposite 
ends  of  the  village,  were  simple  gatherings  of  from  twelve 
to  twenty  of  the  poor,  chiefly  the  women,  about  three  in 
the  afternoon,  when  a  hymn  was  sung,  a  prayer  offered, 
and  a  chapter  or  shorter  portion  read  and  briefly  ex- 
plained. At  four,  on  Monday,  it  was  also  his  custom 
to  visit  the  schools,  and  examine  the  elder  boys  and  girls, 
on  the  heads  of  the  sermons  preached  the  day  before,  im- 
pressing on  them  a  few  of  the  plainest  and  most  im- 
portant lessons.  The  hamlet  of  Wempstead  was  about 
two  miles  from  the  village,  and  usually  his  Curate  gave  a 
lecture  there  every  Lord's  day,  and  every  Wednesday,  in 
the  evening ;  but  when  the  whole  charge  rested  on  him- 
self, a  lecture  on  Wednesday  afternoon  replaced  the  more 
usual  services. 

This  winter  two  fresh  plans  of  village  usefulness  had 
been  set  on  foot.  Every  Monday  evening  was  devoted  to 
social  meetings  at  the  Rectory,  for  distinct  classes  of 
parishioners.  One  week  the  meeting  was  of  personal 
friends,  when  Mr.  Bickersteth  gave  a  short  lecture  on  the 
Articles  and  on  Church  History,  followed  by  a  general 
conversation ;  the  next  was  for  the  school  teachers,  and 
farmers'  wives ;  the  third  for  the  daughters  of  the  small 
tradesmen,  and  the  fourth  for  the  district  visitors.  On 
Thursday  and  Friday  evenings,  an  evening  school  for 
adults  and  elder  boys  was  held  in  a  building  adjoining 
the  Rectory,  and  conducted  mainly  by  Mr.  Bickersteth's 
family,  and  sometimes  forty  or  fifty  were  present.  The 
Prayer  Meeting  on  Saturday  had  been  begun,  when  he 
first  came,  after  the  pattern  of  the  one  at  the  Missionary 


358 


MEMOIR  OP  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


House,  which  he  also  originated  on  his  return  from 
Africa,  and  closed  the  spiritual  privileges  of  the  week, 
while  it  prepared  for  the  fuller  instruction  of  the  coming 
Sabbath. 

"February  24.  This  day,  last  year,  Louis  Philippe  fled 
from  France,  while  the  Eepublic  was  proclaimed.  Still 
England  is  spared,  though  tried  and  corrected.  0  may 
my  country  he  yet  more  spared,  and  yet  more  helped  and 
used  to  bless  the  world  ! 

"But  what  is  the  state  of  my  own  soul?  what  is  the 
state  of  the  closet?  for  that  is  the  thermometer  of  the 
Christian  life.  Alas!  not  as  I  would,  and  hence  my 
spiritual  strength  is  weak.  0  Lord,  draw  my  heart,  and 
we  will  run  after  Thee !  No  man  cometh  to  Jesus,  un- 
less Thou  draw  him.  I  need  continually  this  Divine 
drawing.  The  position  which  God  has  called  me  to 
occupy  is  very  influential,  and  hence  the  responsibility  is 
very  great,  and  the  duty  of  living  to  the  Lord  with  all 
diligence  and  earnestness,  very  weighty.  This  can  only 
be  done  by  constant  fellowship  with  God  in  Christ,  and 
receiving  daily  out  of  His  fullness.  Lord,  help  me  thus 
to  live ! 

"  O  what  a  responsible  trust,  that  of  immortal  souls ! 
Three,  are  now  dying  in  my  parish,  whom  I  have  been 
visiting  some  time,  and  with  hope  of  good. 

"  March  19.  Through  the  goodness  of  my  God  I  have 
now  attained  sixty-three  years  of  age.  0  how  gracious 
my  God  has  been  to  me  a  sinner,  sparing  me,  upholding 
me,  and  blessing  me  to  this  day.  May  He  still  uphold 
and  bless  me  with  His  own  Spirit. 

"  I  most  want  fellowship  with  the  Father,  and  with  His 
Son  Jesus  Christ;  more  singleness  of  eye  to  His  glory, 
more  purity  of  heart  in  His  sight.  Lord,  give  me  these 
blessings. 

"  My  family  mercies  have  been  very  great.  I  have  had 
with  me,  at  this  birth-day,  my  six  children,  and  my  son- 
in-law,  with  his  two  children.  What  a  blessed  circle  God 
has  given  me.    .    .  . 


PAROCHIAL  LABORS. 


359 


"  My  parochial  mercies  are  great,  in  the  piety  and  bounty 
of  the  Woodhall  family,  in  the  increase  of  communicants, 
and  in  the  good  doing  by  my  children  ;  but  many  things 
are  very  humbling  and  trying  at  present.  The  Lord 
bring  good  out  of  evil. 

"My  general  blessings,  in  wider  scenes  of  usefulness, 
by  my  publications,  and  by  the  Societies  in  which  I  have 
been  privileged  to  work,  have  been  very  great.  O  how 
good  is  the  Lord  !  0  how  sinful  and  weak  I  am!  May 
His  name  be  magnified  forever  and  ever ! 

"  April  6.  Good-Friday.  Very  weighty  duties  are  now 
before  me.  Not  only  are  the  usual  anniversary  meetings 
in  prospect,  but  I  have  a  special  mission  to  Dublin,  leaving 
home  on  the  16th,  to  meet  the  Irish  brethren,  and  consult 
on  plans  for  more  effectually  promoting  Church  Missions 
to  the  Roman  Catholics.  Having  no  Curate,  I  have  also 
the  weighty  charge  of  my  own  parish.  The  Lord  graciously 
help  me  to  fulfill  every  work  to  which  he  calls  me,  to  His 
glory ! 

"  The  wonder  is,  that  one  so  utterly  sinful  should  in 
any  way  be  used  for  the  good  of  others,  and  not  dealt 
with  as  a  cumberer  and  removed.  0  Lord,  still  spare  me ; 
create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within 
me !  Carry  me  safely,  if  it  be  Thy  blessed  will,  through 
my  long  journeys ;  assist  me,  in  these  momentous  duties, 
with  heavenly  wisdom  and  sound  judgment,  and  bring  all 
to  a  happy  issue,  to  Thy  glory,  in  the  salvation  of  many 
precious  souls." 

This  journey  to  Ireland  was  one  of  deep  interest,  and 
to  the  spiritual  eye  full  of  brighter  hope  to  that  unhappy 
land  than  could  be  drawn  from  all  the  laborious  plans 
and  conflicting  expedients  of  worldly  senators  and  states- 
men ;  expedients  sometimes  perverse,  and  always  abor- 
tive. 

The  greater  part  of  the  Special  Fund,  raised  in  the  year 
1847,  had  been  spent  in  aiding  various  existing  societies. 
A  smaller  portion  was  applied  to  the  same  purpose  in  the 
following  year,  and  a  small  surplus  remained  at  the  dis- 


360 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


posal  of  the  Committee.  Meanwhile  several  circumstances 
conspired  to  show  the  need  of  a  more  direct  missionary  effort 
for  the  Irish  Roman  Catholics.  Dr.  Kalley,  at  the  request 
of  the  Committee,  paid  a  visit  to  Ireland  in  August  and 
September,  and  stated,  as  the  result  of  careful  inquiry,  that 
there  was  a  great  readiness,  in  many  places,  to  listen  to 
Divine  truth.  In  November,  Mr.  Gordon  addressed  an 
earnest  letter  to  Mr.  Bickersteth,  enforcing  the  duty  of  direct 
and  vigorous  efforts  to  make  the  Gospel  known  to  the  Irish 
Romanists,  and  woke  a  response  in  many  hearts.  During 
the  same  year,  Mr.  Durant,  at  his  own  expense,  had 
already  set  on  foot  an  experiment  in  one  of  the  darkest 
districts  in  the  West  of  Ireland,  and  in  the  course  of  a 
single  year  it  began  to  be  crowned  with  unlooked-for  suc- 
cess. Hence  the  Committee  in  1848,  amid  the  distrac- 
tions of  a  year  of  revolution,  and  in  Ireland,  of  attempted 
rebellion,  besides  continuing  their  aid  to  other  Societies 
as  before,  devoted  about  £800  to  direct  missions  in  the 
county  of  Galway,  and  to  assistant  ministers,  expressly 
for  the  Roman  Catholics,  in  two  other  dioceses.  The 
success  in  Galway  was  so  conspicuous,  that  the  Bishop 
of  Tuam,  after  strict  and  searching  inquiry,  departed  from 
his  usual  rule,  and  ordained  one  of  the  chief  agents  in 
the  work  as  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  Ireland.  En- 
couraged by  these  tokens  of  the  Divine  blessing,  and  the 
pressure  of  the  famine  having  now  ceased,  the  Committee, 
after  grave  and  prayerful  consultation,  determined,  at  the 
close  of  1848,  to  reconstitute  themselves  as  a  distinct  So- 
ciety for  missions  to  the  Irish  Roman  Catholics ;  and  in 
January,  1849,  they  issued  a  further  Report,  with  an  Ap- 
peal to  British  Christians  for  their  aid  in  this  great  work. 
They  said,  truly,  that  "  the  importance  of  the  work  could 
not  easily  be  overrated,  as  it  regards  the  safety,  prosperity, 
and  peace  of  the  British  Empire,  and  even  the  temporal 
interests  of  England,  now  burdened  with  Irish  poor.  .  .  . 
They  are  our  fellow-countrymen  ;  they  are  our  neigh- 
bors, and,  next  to  the  neglected  masses  in  England,  they 
have  the  first  claim  on  our  missionary  exertions."  A 


IRISH  CHURCH  MISSIONS. 


361 


general  arrangement  was  made  with  the  Irish  Society, 
that,  except  in  Gal  way,  which  was  already  occupied,  the 
new  Society  should  chiefly  devote  itself  to  the  English- 
speaking  Roman  Catholics,  leaving  a  wide  sphere  for  the 
valuable  labors  of  the  elder  institution.  But  as  many 
questions  of  details  arose,  and  it  was  very  desirable  to 
learn  the  feelings  of  the  Irish  clergy,  and  their  willing- 
ness to  help  on  the  great  work,  it  was  resolved  that  Mr. 
Bickersteth  and  Mr.  Dallas  should  visit  Ireland  in  April, 
and  confer  with  their  brethren,  who  would  then  be 
gathered  in  their  annual  meetings. 

The  visit  thus  undertaken  was  one  of  deep  interest. 
The  chief  subject  proposed  at  the  clerical  meeting,  usually 
held  at  that  time,  was  this — "  What  are  the  most  prudent 
and  efficacious  means,  consistently  with  the  discipline  of 
our  Church,  of  bringing  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  to  bear 
upon  the  minds  of  the  Roman  Catholics  of  Ireland?"  It 
was  fully  discussed  with  much  thought  and  prayer,  and 
the  result  was,  a  judgment  almost  unanimous  among  the 
large  number  who  were  present,  that  it  was  their  duty  to 
consider  their  Roman  Catholic  parishioners  as  direct  ob- 
jects for  missionary  instruction,  and  to  co-operate  with 
all  their  power  in  every  practical  means  for  imparting  to 
them  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  "The  mission  of  the  honor- 
ary Secretaries  of  the  Special  Fund,"  an  Irish  journal 
wrote  at  the  time,  ."  has  been  attended  with  the  most 
cheering  results.  We  gladly  and  thankfully  hail  their 
coming  among  us,  and  trust  that  the  hopeful  symptom 
they  have  witnessed  will  not  only  cheer  them  in  their 
work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love,  but  that  the  bold,  steady 
activity  and  zeal,  which  shall  be  carried  out  in  the  several 
parishes  to  which  the  brethren  have  returned,  will  open  a 
new  era,  and  diffuse  new  life  through  the  spiritually-des- 
olate regions  of  our  beloved  native  land."  After  hearing 
the  statements  of  the  deputation,  two  hundred  clergymen 
signed  an  address,  expressive  of  their  hope  and  gratitude, 
closing  with  these  words : 

"  In  conclusion,  we  beg  them  to  accept  our  warmest 

VOL.  II. — Q 


362  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

and  most  cordial  thanks,  for  the  interest  they  have  on  the 
present,  and  on  all  former  occasions,  manifested  for  the 
welfare  of  Ireland,  and  the  untiring  energy  with  which 
they  have  labored  to  advance  its  good,  and  request  them 
to  offer  to  the  members  of  the  London  Committee  their 
acknowledgments  for  the  kind  feeling  which  prompted 
and  matured  their  plans,  which  will  issue,  we  trust,  under 
the  Divine  blessing,  in  the  temporal  and  spiritual  prosper- 
ity of  our  country." 

The  service,  thus  undertaken,  was  not  in  vain.  A  new 
impulse  was  given  to  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  Ireland ; 
and  before  the  close  of  the  year  abundant  proof  had  been 
given,  that  amid  the  ignorant  and  deluded  peasantry  of 
that  land,  as  well  as  in  heathen  countries,  it  is  still  the 
power  of  God  to  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  the  true 
remedy  for  superstition,  demoralization,  and  social  wretch- 
edness. A  leading  clergyman  of  Dublin  wrote  of  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  visit — "  An  impression  of  the  loveliness  of 
his  character  was  left  on  all  who  approached  him.  My 
children,  though  unused  to  strangers,  were  fascinated  to 
familiarity  by  his  gentleness;  and  his  uniform  habit  of 
seeing  every  thing  in  God,  and  investing  every  thing  with 
an  atmosphere  of  religion,  affected  even  the  youngest 
among  them ;  and  the  little  books  he  gave  them,  and  in 
which  he  wrote  their  names,  were  laid  up  among  their 
most  valued  treasures.  .  .  .  The  acceptance  of  the  plan  for 
the  Church  Home  Mission  by  the  clergy,  and  the  smooth- 
ing down  or  the  removing  of  any  feelings  on  the  part  of 
individuals,  unfriendly  to  its  reception,  or  suspicious  of  its 
tendency,  is  mainly  to  be  ascribed,  under  God,  to  the 
spirit  of  love,  meekness,  and  wisdom,  that  animated  every 
word  uttered  by  him." 

Mr.  Bickersteth,  on  his  return,  thus  noticed  the  general 
result  of  his  journey. 

11  April  28.  Through  the  abounding  mercy  of  God,  I 
have  been  carried  safely,  and  I  hope  usefully,  through  my 
visit  to  Ireland.  Glory  be  to  God,  the  faithful  brethren 
in  the  Irish  Church  heartily  concurred  in  our  plans  of 


IRISH  CHURCH  MISSIONS. 


363 


Church  Missions  to  the  Eoman  Catholics,  and  I  was  priv- 
ileged to  bring  back  the  intelligence  to  our  Committee  on 
the  26th  in  London. 

"  My  beloved  sister,  Mary  Anne,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Cooper, 
died  on  Wednesday,  April  18.  I  saw  her  the  day  before, 
when  she  told  me  she  was  very,  very  happy ;  resting  on 
Christ,  the  Kock  of  ages ;  and  that  I  had  much  helped 
her,  all  her  life,  in  serving  Him.  Glory  be  to  God  for 
this  blessed  testimony. 

"  0  that  I  may  go  to  the  Lord's  table  in  a  deeply  peni- 
tent and  contrite  spirit.  My  only  solid  ground  is — '  This 
man  receiveth  sinners.'  In  this  feeling  I  would  go.  O 
Lord  Jesus,  quicken  my  dull  affections  by  Thy  omnipotent 
grace ;  raise  within  me  spiritual,  holy,  and  heavenly  feel- 
ings, and  make  me  wholly  Thine." 

The  parting  interview  with  his  beloved  sister  was 
deeply  interesting.  He  saw  her  on  his  way  to  Ireland, 
and  his  engagements  made  it  impossible  to  stay  with  her, 
though  plainly  near  her  end.  On  his  return,  the  happy 
spirit  had  departed  to  be  with  Christ,  and  he  was  just  in 
time  to  be  present  when  her  earthly  remains  were  com- 
mitted to  the  grave.  His  letters  to  her,  in  early  years,  had 
been  the  chief  means  of  awakening  and  confirming  her 
religious  impressions ;  and  the  affection  which  bound  them 
together  grew  stronger  and  stronger,  till  death  put  its 
seal  upon  it,  and,  within  ten  months  of  each  other,  remov- 
ed them  both  to  the  presence  of  their  Savior. 

"  May  26.  How  good  the  Lord  is  to  me  a  sinner ! 
This  is  my  daily  surprise.  This  week,  on  Tuesday  the 
22d,  we  had  a  large  gathering  in  London,  to  form  the 
Society  for  Irish  Church  Missions  to  the  Roman  Catholics ; 
or  rather,  to  hold  its  first  public  meeting.  It  was  a  very 
blessed  occasion.  The  large  room  in  Hanover  Square  was 
filled,  and  much  sympathy  called  forth.  I  have  since  been 
to  Hadlow,  preaching  for  the  Society,  and  forming  an 
Association.  We  have  had  many  difficulties,  and  shall 
doubtless  have  many  more :  but,  O  Lord,  do  Thou  give 
wisdom,  boldness,  and  fidelity ! 


364  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  I  most  of  all  need  close  walking  with  God  in  every 
tiling.  My  inner  man  is  feeble  indeed.  0  that  this  Whit- 
sunday may  be  blessed  to  the  revival  of  pure  religion  in 
my  own  soul,  in  my  family,  and  in  my  parish !" 

Mr.  Bickersteth  mov^d  the  first  resolution  at  this  public 
meeting,  to  the  purport  that  it  was  the  bounden  duty  of 
every  member  of  the  Church  of  England,  to  protest  against 
the  false  doctrines  and  idolatrons  practices  of  the  Church 
of  Kome,  and  to  aid  in  rescuing  the  Irish  population  from 
the  degrading  effects  of  Romish  superstition.  His  address, 
as  usual,  was  simple,  faithful,  and  impressive.  "  Our  mis- 
sion," he  said,  "like  our  common  Christianity,  is  aggressive, 
but  aggression  in  real  love  to  those  whom  it  assails.  We 
wish  not  their  destruction,  but  their  salvation,  and  would 
use  no  methods  but  speaking  the  truth  in  love ! — no  bri- 
bery, no  Roman  anathemas,  no  Inquisition.  The  only 
remedy  we  desire  to  apply  is  God's  own  remedy  —  the 
proclamation  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  in  love  to  their  souls. 
...  It  is  a  false  charity  for  Protestants  to  be  indifferent 
to  the  conversion  of  the  Roman  Catholics.  It  is  a  selfish 
cruelty,  and  places  them  in  a  false  and  indefensible  posi- 
tion. It  is  infidelity  to  Christ  and  His  Gospel  to  remain 
silent  with  His  truth  in  our  possession,  while  so  many 
millions  are  perishing  for  want  of  that  truth.  The  Irish 
Roman  Catholics  must  be  considered  as  our  neighbors, 
our  brothers,  and  sisters.  Their  misery  springs  from  Po- 
pery. Popery  enslaves  the  intellect  and  brings  men  under 
an  intolerable  yoke  of  bondage.  Ignorance  is  made  the 
mother  of  devotion,  or  learning  prostituted  to  oppress  the 
soul.  There  is  need  of  the  royalty  of  true  faith,  in  a 
Divine  testimony  of  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  makes 
free.  .  .  .  Great  trials,  however,  are  to  be  expected,  and 
many  reproaches ;  but  let  us  be  strong  and  courageous, 
and  we  are  assured  by  God — '  Then  thou  shalt  make  thy 
way  prosper,  and  shalt  have  good  success.'  The  urgency 
of  the  work  has  brought  me  out  of  direct  parochial  duties, 
to  seek  to  promote  it.  We  must  all  make  sacrifices  to 
advance  it ;  and  oh  how  thankful  shall  we  be,  if  we  thus 


NOTES  FOR  SPEECHES. 


365 


bless  our  Roman  Catholic  brethren,  bless  Ireland,  strengthen 
our  Church,  promote  the  welfare  of  our  country,  and  honor 
that  Divine  Savior  who  is  our  only  Lord  and  Redeemer. 
Let  the  work  be  carried  on  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  and  in 
the  spirit  of  love,  and  God  will  confer  His  blessing  on  the 
Society.  Without  prayer  the  hearts  of  Protestants  will 
not  open  to  aid  us,  nor  the  hearts  of  Roman  Catholics 
to  hear  us;  and  deep,  intense  love  to  their  souls  is  the 
quickening  and  powerful  motive  for  doing  them  real  and 
lasting  good." 

Among  the  Anniversary  Meetings  of  this  year,  in  which 
Mr.  Bickersteth  took  a  part,  were  the  Dublin  Bible  Society, 
and  the  City  Mission  and  Bible  Society  in  London.  His 
brief  notes  for  his  speeches  at  the  two  former,  are  a  speci- 
men of  his  usual  preparation  for  these  public  addresses, 
though  sometimes  written  on  a  fuller  scale. 

"  Dublin,  April  19,  1849.— Bible  Society. 

"  Have  rejoiced  to  be  a  member  of  the  British  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society  forty  years. 

"  31  millions  of  copies. 

"  Bibles,  from  the  great  demand,  so  reduced,  as  to  be 
accessible  to  all. 

"  Gradual  progress:  the  first  ten  years  1,026,650. 

"  In  the  last  33  years,  33  millions. 

"  In  1804,  Bibles  in  print  in  49  languages,  now  in  140. 

"  Probably  then  hardly  accessible  in  their  vulgar  tongue 
to  200  millions,  now  to  600  millions.  Openings  on  the  Con- 
tinent. 

"Italy,  Diodati's  Bible  printing. 
"  Austria,  the  liberty  of  the  press. 

"  Why  do  we  rejoice  ?  Because  we  have  found  light 
and  peace  in  the  Bible ;  a  plain  path  to  walk  in. 

"  Are  we  to  be  charged  with  Bibliolatry  ?  So  was 
David  chargeable.  Ps.  i.  2 ;  cxix.  97.  So  St.  Paul,  Col. 
iii.  16 ;  2  Tim.  iii.  15.   So  our  Lord,  Mat.  v.  18  ;  John  v.  39. 

"  May  it  ever  be  the  glory  of  Evangelical  Christians, 
that  they  prize  the  word  of  God. 

"  London  City  Mission,  April  28,  1849.    The  vast  ex- 


366 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


igency  requires  the  efforts  of  all  Christians.  Increasing 
conviction,  that  the  London  City  Mission  is  the  enemy  of 
no  true  Church,  nor  of  any  true  minister  of  Christ.  The 
nearness  of  the  evil  to  us.  Special  delight  in  its  taking  up 
labors  among  foreigners.  The  blessed  openings  now  be- 
fore us  in  England. 

"  The  change  making  in  our  destitute  and  neglected 
classes.  If  they  remain,  that  they  may  remain  to  be  a 
blessing.  If  they  go  abroad,  no  longer  as  convicts,  to  poi- 
son colonies,  and  spread  moral  infection  ;  but  as  Christian 
emigrants,  to  spread  the  gospel.  So,  again,  that  foreigners 
may  no  longer  stay  here,  to  learn  our  vices,  but  to  hear 
the  gospel. 

"  Rome — the  Inquisition — the  New  Testament. 

"  The  London  City  Mission  has  spread  the  gospel  in 
new  modes.  Thank  God,  the  principle  is  gained.  Thank 
God  for  the  Scripture  Readers'  Society,  and  that  our  Bishops 
now  plead  for  lay-agency. 

"  It  is  pregnant  with  blessings,  for  the  salvation  of  Lon- 
don. Push,  then,  the  London  City  Mission.  Vastly  more 
is  yet  to  be  done.  The  most  important  of  all  charities — 
charity  to  the  soul  is  the  soul  of  charity.  The  peculiar 
temptations  and  sufferings  of  the  Missionaries.  The  mes- 
sengers of  the  Churches  are  the  glory  of  Christ. 

"  Descend  to  the  lowest,  and  so  rise  to  the  highest  honor. 
Mrs.  Fry,  and  others ;  not  that  they  sought  it,  but  God 
gave  it.  '  He  that  humbleth  himself,  &c.'  Christ  exalted 
in  the  labors  and  success  of  each  Missionary.  Irish  Society 
— have  just  been  to  Ireland.  The  Protestant  Irish  So- 
cieties all  increasing — spirit  of  the  Irish  Clergy." 

The  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  in  London,  this  year, 
had  circumstances  of  peculiar  interest.  Several  speakers, 
as  well  as  the  chairman,  had  uttered  sentiments,  expres- 
sive of  regret  that  a  Society,  designed  to  circulate  the  word 
of  God,  could  not  honor  God  and  His  word  more  openly, 
by  commencing  with  prayer.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  who  for 
many  years  had  shared  this  feeling,  was  one  of  those  who 
gave  it  expression.    Just  as  he  was  leaving  the  room,  the 


BIBLE  SOCIETY. 


367 


excellent  Secretary,  Mr.  Brandram,  a  rigid  conservative 
of  the  existing  practice,  stated  his  unaltered  objection  to 
any  change,  and  that  it  could  not  be  introduced  without 
the  assent  of  the  Society.  Mr.  Bickersteth  returned  to  his 
seat  and  wrote  quickly  a  resolution,  which  he  at  once  pro- 
posed to  the  meeting,  that  the  Committee  be  invited  to  re- 
consider the  practice  of  the  Society,  with  a  view  to  the 
regulation,  that  its  meetings  in  future  be  opened  by  read- 
ing the  Scripture,  and  a  short  prayer.  The  motion  was  at 
once  seconded,  and  carried  by  a  large  majority,  at  least 
three  fourths  of  the  whole  assembly.  The  result  was  a 
series  of  deliberations,  which  issued  in  the  rule  that  a  por- 
tion of  God's  word  should  be  read  at  the  opening  of  each 
public  meeting.  The  chief  importance  of  the  incident  was 
the  light  which  it  threw  upon  the  altered  tone,  since  the 
discussion  first  arose  in  1830,  among  the  great  body  of  the 
friends  of  the  Society,  and  the  deeper  sense  which  now 
obtained  of  the  need  that  religious  efforts  should  be  openly, 
as  well  as  secretly  consecrated,  by  the  word  of  God  and 
prayer,  in  order  to  secure  the  fullest  measure  of  the  divine 
blessing.  Allusion  is  made  to  this  subject  in  the  next 
entry  of  the  journal. 

"  June  29.  Another  month's  mercies  and  sins :  the 
two  streams,  alas !  flow  together.  O  when  will  the  stream 
of  sin  be  forever  dried  up,  and  the  flood  of  mercy  every- 
where prevail  over  the  earth !   The  Lord  hasten  that  day. 

"  At  the  beginning  of  the  month  I  went  to  Winchester 
for  the  Jews'  Society  ;  a  journey  of  many  mercies. 

My  chief  trial  at  this  time  is  conflicting  with  beloved 
brethren,  for  prayer,  or  rather,  reading  a  devotional  por- 
tion of  the  Scriptures,  before  the  Bible  Society's  Annual 
Meeting.  It  was  debated  on  the  11th,  and  it  is  to  be 
again  on  the  25th,  and  I  have  been  called  to  a  prominent 
part,  from  what  passed  at  the  Annual  Meeting ;  when  they 
concurred  in  the  proposal  which  I  made. 

"  Would  that  my  own  soul  lived  more  in  prayer ;  then 
I  should  be  more  victorious  over  my  temptations  and  cor- 
ruptions, and  more  successful  in  all  my  works  of  love." 


368 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


Early  in  June  Mr.  Bickersteth  enjoyed  a  privilege, 
highly  congenial  to  his  affectionate  heart,  in  welcoming 
under  his  roof  Mr.  Fast,  and  Mr.  Elgqvist,  two  young 
Swedish  Missionaries,  the  first-fruits  in  that  work  of  their 
own  country,  who  were  passing  through  England  on  their 
way  to  China,  and  who  sought  an  introduction  to  one,  so 
long  connected  with  the  cause  of  missions,  and  so  widely 
known  and  honored  through  the  foreign  Churches  of 
Christ.  Their  short  visit,  including  the  Sabbath,  was  a 
time  of  great  refreshment  and  joy  to  these  young  soldiers 
of  the  cross,  who  were  just  entering  upon  their  arduous 
work,  and  to  the  aged  servant  of  the  Lord,  whose  time 
of  departure  was  now  really  at  hand.  It  was  at  their 
parting  that  one  of  them  referred  to  the  delight  of  their 
visit,  as  a  breeze  of  the  eternal  summer  passing  over  them ; 
and  the  memory  of  their  brief  intercourse  is  rendered  the 
more  touching,  since  not  a  year  had  passed,  after  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  own  removal,  before  Mr.  Fast  fell  a  victim 
to  the  violence  of  pirates,  and  was  translated,  in  the  first 
glow  of  his  faithful  zeal,  from  the  work  of  missions  to  his 
heavenly  rest. 

"  July  28.  By  God's  mercy  we  gained,  not  indeed  all 
I  wished,  but  the  reading  of  a  portion  of  Scripture,  before 
the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Bible  Society. 

"  I  have  since  been  for  a  deeply  interesting  meeting,  to 
"Weston-super-mare,  where  I  preached  before,  and  ad- 
dressed, between  seventy  and  eighty  clergymen,  to 
strengthen  and  encourage  us  in  our  labors,  in  conjunction 
with  Haldane  Stewart.  Our  Sermons  and  Addresses  are 
to  be  published.    May  the  Lord's  blessing  follow. 

"  One  of  the  most  pious  of  my  parishioners  was  called 
to  his  heavenly  rest  this  week.  His  whole  course  adorned 
the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  I  had  an  attack  of  cholera,  now  largely  spreading  in 
our  country,  but  mercifully  it  was  slight.  O  may  all 
these  warnings  of  what  a  vapor  life  is,  lead  me  to  holy 
diligence  in  improving  time  for  God's  glory ;  specially, 


VISIT  TO  WESTON-SUPER-MARE. 


369 


O  specially,  in  the  only  truly  powerful  way,  earnest 
prayer ! 

"  The  various  Annual  County  Meetings  are  before  us, 
Bible,  Church  Missionary,  Church  Pastoral  Aid,  Protes- 
tant Associations,  Tract  Society.  The  Lord  prosper  our 
poor  efforts. 

"  It  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me,  this  last  month, 
to  have  had  my  dear  son  with  me,  helping  me  in  the  min- 
istry, and  faithfully  preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God.    Glory  be  to  God!" 

His  friend,  Archdeacon  Law,  has  thus  recorded  his  im- 
pressions of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  Weston-super-mare  visit,  to 
which  he  himself  frequently  referred,  in  the  few  months  that 
he  survived  it,  with  peculiar  pleasure. 

"  He  was  at  the  time  personally  unknown  to  most  of 
us  ;  but  the  respect  and  love  which  his  writings  and  char- 
acter had  excited,  caused  great  expectation  of  instruction 
and  edification  from  his  lips.  But  though  our  expecta- 
tions were  high,  I  can  truly  say,  they  fell  far  short  of 
what  was  realized.  He  arrived  at  this  Rectory  in  com- 
pany with  his  dear  friend,  Mr.  Haldane  Stewart,  on  the 
evening  of  Monday,  July  9.  When  the  time  for  our  even- 
ing service  arrived,  he  begged  to  have  the  hymn,  '  Great 
the  joy  when  Christians  meet,'  and  he  then  opened  out  to 
us,  as  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  the  concluding  verses 
of  Rom.  xv. ;  and  truly  did  he  come  to  us  '  in  the  fullness 
of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,'  and  as  he  testified 
when  parting,  greatly  did  he  participate  in  the  blessing  * 
that  he  communicated  to  us. 

"Our  two  next  days  were  occupied  in  examination  of 
Scripture,  and  public  services.  I  say  nothing  of  his  ad- 
dress and  sermon,  because  they  are  in  print;  but  I  can 
not  forbear  to  say,  he  was  the  animation,  the  spirit,  and 
the  power  of  all  our  discussions.  He  was  full  of  life  and 
vigor,  which  never  seemed  to  flag  for  a  moment,  so  that 
he  spoke  on  every  point.  I  will  not  attempt  to  repeat  his 
striking  observations,  which  went  to  many  a  heart,  and  I 
believe,  still  abide  and  live  there  in  sanctifying  freshness. 


370  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

The  passage  on  which  he  entered  most  fully  was  2  Tim. 
iv.  5,  &c.  How.  little  did  we  then  think  that  the  sixth 
verse  was  so  predictive  of  his  own  removal!  The  im- 
pression on  all  our  minds  was  quite  different.  We  fondly 
thought  that  his  energy  and  strength  gave  promise  of  la- 
bor for  years  to  come,  and  when  he  expressed  his  affec- 
tionate hope  that  the  visit  might  be  renewed,  the  idea  oc- 
curred to  none  of  us,  that  we  were  never  to  see  his  face 
again  on  earth.  Some  engagement  in  London  caused  his 
departure  from  us,  before  the  discussion  of  the  second  day 
was  ended;  and  I  never  can  forget  the  feeling  which  per- 
vaded the  meeting,  when  he  arose  to  say,  '  Farewell.'  It 
was  the  signal  for  every  one  to  arise,  and  every  eye  fol- 
lowed him  with  expressions  of  grateful  admiration  and 
love.  Some  time  elapsed  before  attention  could  be  brought 
back  to  our  subject,  and  perhaps  we  did  not  fully  realize 
the  exceeding  value  of  his  presence  among  us,  until,  at 
every  succeeding  point,  we  missed  the  perspicuity  and  the 
unction  which  he  had  thrown  into  each  discussion.  His 
visit  to  us  was  not  in  vain.  His  Lord  was  with  him,  and 
a  rich  blessing  from  on  high  attended  almost  every  word. 
He  appeared  among  us  as  one  whose  conversation  was  in 
heaven,  and  who  experienced  the  joy  and  peace  that  are 
in  believing.  His  looks  of  love,  his  words  of  love,  are  still 
present  to  many  minds,  and  while  we  glorified  God  in  him, 
many  were  filled  with  desire,  humbly,  and  at  a  distance, 
to  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ." 

"  August  15,  1849.  I  have  to  glorify  God  for  refresh- 
ing meetings,  at  which  my  dear  brother,  Dr.  M'Neile,  has 
been  assisting  this  week.  On  Monday  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary, on  Tuesday  the  Eeformation  Society,  and  this 
Wednesday  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society.  For  the 
Herts  Eeformation  Society,  £45  was  collected,  and  for 
the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society  £201.  All  glory  be  to 
God. 

"  The  most  delightful  thing,  however,  was  the  really 
practical  and  holy  character,  for  personal  edification,  of  my 
friend's  addresses  and  intercourse.    May  the  savor  of  it 


CHURCH  PASTORAL  AID  MEETING. 


371 


remain  for  many  days.  An  address  to  my  poor  people  this 
evening,  on  Exod.  xxviii.,  was  full  of  spiritual  unction  and 
blessing." 

The  visit  of  Dr.  M'Neile,  the  first  and  the  last  which  he 
ever  paid  to  his  beloved  friend  at  Watton,  was  a  season  of 
high  social  and  Christian  enjoyment.  The  whole  family 
circle,  and  one  or  two  intimate  friends,  were  gathered  at 
the  Kectory,  and  a  feast  of  Christian  thought,  feeling,  and 
friendship,  was  enjoyed,  of  which  the  memory  will  not 
soon  pass  away.  All  the  great  subjects  of  interest,  affect- 
ing the  kingdom  of  Christ,  with  which  the  thoughts  of 
both  were  daily  and  hourly  occupied,  were  brought  out  in 
all  the  freedom  of  unrestricted  communion  ;  and  memories 
of  the  past,  and  hopes  for  the  future,  and  grave  reflections 
on  the  actual  state  and  dangers  of  the  Church,  were  min- 
gled now  with  all  the  variety  of  playful  anecdote,  and  now 
with  calm  and  serious  conversation  on  the  deep  things  of 
God.  Variously  gifted  by  their  common  Lord,  and  alike 
highly  honored  in  His  service,  each  seemed  to  give  a  free 
scope  to  his  feelings  of  quiet  joy  in  the  other's  presence 
and  society,  while  the  sickness  of  a  beloved  daughter  shed 
a  mellowing  and  tender  influence  of  deeper  sympathy  with 
patient  suffering,  amid  the  else  unclouded  sunshine  of  do- 
mestic and  Christian  joy.  It  was  like  the  culminating 
point  of  God's  abundant  mercies,  bestowed  on  the  home 
and  family  of  his  beloved  servant.  The  meeting  on  the 
lawn  for  the  Church  Pastoral  Aid  Society  was  held  to  be  one 
of  intense  interest,  and  Mr.  Bickersteth's  words  were  like  a 
presentiment — "  This  is  the  climax  of  our  meetings  ;  but 
what  shall  we  do  after  this  for  next  year  ?"  The  recollec- 
tion of  this  meeting  has  now  an  added  tinge  of  sorrow ; 
for  the  next  time  that  Dr.  M'Neile  visited  Watton,  it  was 
in  the  promptness  of  his  Christian  sympathy,  at  a  sudden 
call  from  the  house  of  mourning,  to  preach  a  funeral  ser- 
mon for  his  beloved  friend,  whose  honored  remains  were 
already  committed  to  the  grave. 

Soon  after  this  happy  meeting  he  wrote  to  his  son,  who 
had  returned  to  his  home. 


372 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


I  must  not  let  our  correspondence  flag,  now  we  are  separated. 
Thanks  be  to  our  Heavenly  Father  alone,  that  our  joy  and  com- 
fort was  so  mutual  during  your  stay  with  us.  He  first  united  us 
to  one  Head,  and  then  united  us  a  hundred-fold  more  closely,  to 
each  other. 

We  have  a  somewhat  sad  contrast  this  week.  Painters  for 
orators  and  divines,  and  odious  smells  of  paint  for  the  rich  truths 
that  flowed  from  our  absent  friends  ;  but  each  are  needful  and 
profitable  for  their  end,  and  if  we  are  in  the  path  of  duty,  we  are 
in  the  path  of  happiness. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

"  August  25.  I  have  been  this  week  to  Erith,  Belvi- 
dere,  to  attend  a  meeting  there  of  the  London  City 
Mission. 

"  We  are  greatly  tried  now  by  Sir  H.  J.  Fust's  de- 
cision in  reference  to  necessary  regeneration  in  baptism 
(the  Lord  avert  the  evil)  and  by  the  cholera,  which  is 
spreading  over  the  country.  May  He  lead  us  to  re- 
pentance. 

"  But  the  greatest  evil  is  to  live  at  a  distance  from  God, 
with  but  few  thoughts  of  His  presence  and  His  love.  I 
hope  my  heart  has  been  helped,  by  giving  more  time  to 
thought  on.  preparation  for,  and  real  prayer.  Glory  be 
to  God.  But  I  am  yet  very  far  from  what  it  would  be  to 
my  infinite  interest,  and  that  of  many  others,  to  be.  The 
Lord  bless  this  communion  for  this  end. 

"  Sept.  28.  This  day  is  appointed  by  the  Bishop,  in 
this  part  of  the  diocese,  for  humiliation  and  prayer  on  ac- 
count of  the  cholera.  0  give  us  a  heart  to  see  Thee,  0 
God,  and  to  turn  to  Thee  in  weeping,  and  fasting,  and 
prayer.    We  have  all  great  reason  so  to  do. 

"  I  have  before  me  a  long  journey  to  Glasgow,  Edin- 
burgh, Doncaster,  Liverpool,  and  London,  for  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance,  the  Irish  Church  Missions,  the  Church 
Missionary,  the  Jews',  the  Church  of  England  Young 
Mens,  and  other  Societies.  The  Lord  use  me  for  good, 
and  to  His  glory,  and  bring  me  baok,  if  it  be  His  will,  to 


LETTERS. 


373 


be  a  double  blessing.  But  the  real  ground  for  all  good 
must  be,  that  all  is  straight  between  him  and  my  soul : — 
my  sins  pardoned,  my  soul  justified,  and  I  myself  de- 
lighting in  Him.  0  Lord,  let  these  things  be  clear  in  my 
soul !  Let  thine  own  Spirit  effectually  teach,  lead,  and 
sanctify  me ! 

"  October  27.  Through  God's  mercy  I  have  been  brought 
prosperously  through  my  long  journey  for  the  Societies, 
to  Scotland,  &c,  above  a  thousand  miles  in  seventeen 
days,  and  speaking,  perhaps,  to  twenty  thousand  souls. 
What  a  responsibility !  and  if  the  Lord  ■  use  it  to  His 
glory,  what  a  blessing !  May  He  pardon  all  the  sins,  and 
accept  in  Jesus  all  the  services  of  the  journey  !" 

The  following  notes  to  his  children  were  written  shortly 
before,  or  during  his  northern  journey. 

Kelshall,  Sept.  6. 

My  beloved  F.  has  seldom  a  letter  from  her  father,  as  he  is 
mostly  with  her.  I  look  on  you  as  a  vessel  of  mercy,  not  only 
preparing  by  your  trials  for  the  Master's  house  above,  but  as  al- 
ready bearing  supplies  for  others.  You  are  the  missionary  to  our 
family,  and  God  is  by  you  drawing  out  for  us  views  of  His  truth, 
not  only  profitable  for  you,  but  unspeakably  profitable  to  our- 
selves. We  are  taught  the  wise,  and  deep,  arid  unfathomable 
love  of  our  God,  in  that  which  seems  all  severity  ;  we  are  taught 
the  power  of  His  grace  in  sustaining  a  weak  creature  ;  we  are 
taught  that  perfected  family  bliss  is  larger  and  fuller  than  earth 
can  afford ;  we  are  taught  that  nothing  but  God  himself  is  the 
rest,  portion,  and  full  joy  of  the  soul ;  and  you  are  the  mission- 
ary, by  whom  God  brings  home  these  precious  lessons.  Glorify 
God,  then,  my  child,  not  by  being  a  foreign  missionary  to  the 
heathen,  nor  a  city  missionary  to  London,  but  a  Wattou  Rectory 
missionary,  to  the  rector  and  all  his  family  day  by  day  ;  and  they 
will  try  to  realize, — "  He  that  watereth  shall  himself  also  be 
watered."  And  then,  when  we  reach  our  heavenly  home,  we 
shall  see  how  wonderfully,  beyond  all  our  thoughts,  God  was 
blessing  us,  and  making  all  to  work  for  our  good. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  Bickersteth. 


374  MEMOIR  OP  EDWARD  BlCKERSTETH. 


Edinburgh,  Oct.  16. 

Dearest  E.  R.  and  H. 

....  I  had  a  most  pleasing  account  of  the  Bishop  of  Nor- 
wich's last  thoughts  upon  2  Cor.  v.  &c.  particularly  the  last 
verse. — Glory  be  to  God.  I  always  loved  him  for  his  eminent 
devotedness  to  what  he  thought  right. 

The  best  way  of  answering  your  desire,  for  information  about 
the  Alliance,  is  to  send  you  the  inclosed.  .  .  .  Glory  be  to  God  : 
such  blessed  accounts  of  our  Irish  Church  missions  !  There  was 
an  immensely  overflowing  evening  congregation  last  night  at  Mr. 
Drummond's,  while  I  preached  on  Dan.  xii.  3.  In  the  morning 
on  1  John  i.  3.  God  has  heard  the  prayers  of  my  family  for 
rich  blessings  on  this  journey.    Continue  to  pray. 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 
Liverpool,  Oct  19. 

My  DEAR  SICK  ONE, 

With  a  great  deal  of  work,  I  must  yet  give  you  a  token  of 
Sunday  remembrance.  What  a  comfort  is  the  promise,  "  I  will 
never  leave  you."  Your  other  best  friends  have  their  leaving 
times,  God  never  leaves.  He  is  your  shade  at  your  right  hand, 
from  the  burning  sun  of  temptation.  He  is  your  fountain,  per- 
haps invisible,  like  Hagar's,  Gen.  xxi.  19  ;  but  God  can  open 
the  eyes,  and  enable  us  to  draw  living  water.  Dear  child,  cleave 
to  Him.    He  loves  you  with  intense  love. 

God  is  prospering  my  journey.  I  have  already  traveled  above 
eight  hundred  miles,  protected  by  His  love. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

This  Last  visit  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  to  Scotland,  only  a 
few  months  before  his  death,  like  the  one  to  Ireland  in 
the  spring,  and  to  Weston-super-mare  in  the  summer,  was 
attended  with  a  peculiar  blessing.  It  seemed  to  be  felt 
by  all  his  beloved  friends,  that  a  double  portion  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  rested  on  His  servant.  The  affectionate 
testimony  of  Mr.  Drummond,  whom  he  had  often  cheered 
before,  amid  trials  and  difficulties,  by  wise  advice  and 
loving  sympathy,  and  who  looked  up  to  him  as  a  son  to  a 


VISIT  TO  SCOTLAND. 


375 


father,  expresses  the  thoughts  which  were  passing  through 
many  minds. 

"  His  visits  were  indeed  precious  and  soul-refreshing ; 
they  were  such  as  to  make  us  feel,  as  though  we  were  en- 
tertaining an  angel  unawares.  The  announcement  of 
one  spread  cheerfulness  and  happy  expectation,  and  the 
joy  or  prospect  was  more  than  equaled  in  its  fulfillment. 
Faith  was  confirmed,  the  mere  earthly  admixtures  that 
mingled  with  contending  for  the  truth,  were  rebuked,  and 
love  and  forbearance  were  enlarged.  His  was  the  spirit 
that  rejoiced  as  little  in  iniquity,  as  it  rejoiced  much  in 
the  truth.  The  impressions  made  by  his  sermons  and 
public  addresses  were  uniformly  deep  and  extensive  ;  the 
influence  of  his  private  intercourse  was  pervading  and 
sustained.  The  garden  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  give  forth 
its  special  sweetness,  when  this  spiritual  laborer  appeared, 
laden  with  the  precious  fruits  of  the  gospel,  peace  and 
love. 

"  The  last  visit  he  paid  us,  in  October,  1849,  is  ever  to 
be  held  in  sweet  remembrance.  Blessed  as  all  the  former 
had  been,  this  was  twice  blessed.  In  his  public  duties 
there  was  a  power  and  unction,  beyond  what  we  had  ever 
witnessed,  even  in  him.  The  last  sermon  which  he 
preached  in  Edinburgh,  and  which  has  since  been  pub- 
lished, was  on  that  glorious  passage, — '  They  that  be  wise 
shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever  and 
ever.'  He  seemed  already  half  in  heaven.  A  powerful 
impression  was  manifestly  made  on  all  who  heard  him.  A 
solemn  stillness  pervaded  the  congregation,  every  word  fell 
with  weight  and  energy,  and  the  heavenly  spirit  of  the 
preacher  was  never  more  deeply  felt ;  his  crown  of  glory 
seemed  almost  to  be  encircling  his  brow. 

"  And  corresponding  to  this  was  the  delight  and  profit 
of  his  private  intercourse.  He  remained  five  days  under 
my  roof,  and  I  was  much  exhausted  at  the  time  from  long 
illness.  How  shall  I  describe  his  sympathy  ?  He  had 
ever  a  word  of  encouragement ;  he  made  me  begin  to 


376 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


hope,  even  against  hope.  His  prayers  were  my  best 
medicine.  He  strengthened  me  by  bis  counsel,  he  refresh- 
ed me  when  I  was  weary ;  his  fellowship  was  ever  '  com- 
fort of  love,'  and  I  can  truly  say  that,  with  much  bodily 
and  mental  trial  at  the  time,  those  few  days  were  among 
the  happiest  I  ever  spent  on  earth,  they  seemed  to  partake 
so  much  of  heaven." 

One  little  incident,  at  the  time  of  this  last  visit,  shows 
the  deep  interest  which  had  been  awakened.  When  he 
set  out  with  a  friend  to  the  chapel,  before  preaching  his 
last  sermon,  they  were  alarmed  by  the  crowds  who  were 
coming  away,  and  feared  that  some  disaster  had  occurred. 
On  their  arrival,  they  found  the  large  building  completely 
crowded,  and  that  the  multitudes  whom  they  met  were 
those  who  had  tried  unsuccessfully  to  gain  admittance. 

In  a  note  of  November  3,  Mr.  Drurnmond  wrote  to  him, 
on  recovering  from  a  severe  attack  of  illness:  "Your 
visit,  dearest  friend,  was  just  my  preparation  for  this 
season.  It  was  an  angel's  visit.  O  how  we  all  prized  it ! 
How  we  mourned  over  your  departure !  How  we  blessed 
God  for  the  savor  that  was  left !  How  we  rejoiced  with 
unutterable  joy  at  the  prospect  of  that  glorious  day,  when 
such  sweet  and  blessed  communion  shall  be  perfect  and 
everlasting !  We  were  indeed  thankful  to  hear  of  the 
many  mercies  vouchsafed  on  your  way.  What  a  mercy 
and  privilege  to  be  the  subject  of  this  saying  of  God, — '  I 
will  deliver  him,  and  honor  him.'  " 

.  The  visit  to  Glasgow,  chiefly  for  the  Evangelical  Alli- 
ance, was  hardly  less  marked  by  spiritual  blessing.  Mr. 
Bickersteth  thus  describes  it,  in  a  letter,  soon  after  his  re- 
turn home,  to  one  of  the  American  brethren,  whom  he 
had  met  before  at  the  August  Conference. 

Watton  Rectory,  Oct.  1849. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  promised  my  friend  Sir  C.  Eardley  to  comply  with  your  re- 
quest, in  sending  a  few  lines  to  your  Christian  Union  respecting 
our  Evangelical  Alliance. 


VISIT  TO  SCOTLAND. 


377 


We  have  just  had,  in  the  second  week  of  October,  very  blessed 
meetings  at  Glasgow  of  the  Annual  Conference  ;  and  I  feel  assur- 
ed that  we  were  generally  and  practically  convinced  that  God 
was  with  us,  and  that  this  is  His  own  cause,  and  that  it  is  a  real 
privilege  to  have  a  part  in  carrying  it  forward. 

I  need  not  enter  into  the  proceedings,  as  you  will  see  them  at 
length  in  "  Evangelical  Christendom."  I  had  to  address  the 
meeting  on  "  Fellowship  with  Christ,  leading  Christians  to  fellow- 
ship with  each  other," — a  subject  in  itself  enough  to  warm  our 
hearts,  and  draw  us  nearer  together. 

Mr.  Noel,  X)r.  Cunningham,  Dr.  Leifchild,  Mr.  M'Leod,  Dr. 
Smyth,  and  others,  made  useful  and  practical  addresses  ;  but  Dr. 
Wardlaw's,  on  "  Separation  from  the  world,  prompting  to 
brotherly  union,"  was  a  most  convincing,  holy,  and  peculiarly 
profitable  manifestation,  with  Christian  wisdom,  of  the  great  prin- 
ciples of  the  Alliance. 

We  acted  practically,  in  adopting  the  petition  of  which  I  in- 
close a  copy,  and  raising  subscriptions  to  send  a  deputation  to  the 
continent,  for  promoting  the  release  of  Achilli  from  the  dungeons 
of  the  Inquisition  ;  being  convinced  that  his  great  offense  was  his 
zeal  in  distributing  the  word  of  God  in  Rome. 

At  present  we  are  a  little  flock  from  each  denomination,  who 
thus  unite  together,  but  the  hearts  of  God's  children  are  mani- 
festly with  us.  The  numbers  gathered  together,  morning  and 
evening,  meeting  after  meeting,  on  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and 
Friday,  were  very  gratifying.  At  the  one  on  Thursday  evening, 
when  the  Provost  was  in  the  chair,  it  is  supposed  that  four  thou- 
sand were  present,  and  many  were  unable  to  get  in.  I  have  seen 
nothing  in  the  Alliance  to  weaken  my  hope  that  it  has  been  rais- 
ed up  of  God  to  promote  the  Philadelphian  spirit  in  the  churches 
of  Christ.  No  doubt  its  enemies  will  find  in  us  all,  plenty  of 
weakness,  imperfection,  and  even  inconsistency.  But  we  will 
glory  in  our  Divine  Savior,  and  His  spirit  of  love,  and  His  pre- 
cepts and  prayer  for  unity.  It  rejoices  us  to  see  that  we  have 
hearty  friends  of  the  good  work  in  America.  Give  my  Christian 
love  to  the  faithful  brethren  there,  whom  I  know  in  the  flesh  ;  a 
very  small  part  of  that  glorious  company  in  America  I  hope  to 
rejoice  with  forever  in  the  presence  of  Christ  in  perfect  unity  ; 
but  still,  though  so  small,  dear  to  me  in  a  more  especial  manner, 
as  having  had  communion  with  them,  face  to  face,  on  earth.  0 


378 


MEMOIH  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


may  we  spend  ourselves,  and  be  spent,  in  labors  to  bring  others 
to  share  with  us  the  fullness  of  joy,  still  to  come,  in  the  presence 
of  God  and  the  Lamb  ! 

In  Him,  faithfully  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

The  address  referred  to  above,  will  be  found  in  the 
Evangelical  Christendom,  January,  1850.  It  closed  with 
a  beautiful  thought,  soon  after  realized  in  his  own  ex- 
perience. 

"  Fellowship  with  the  fullness  of  Christ  most  of  all 
helps  us  to  fellowship  with  others.  The  gushing  fountain- 
springs  of  mighty  rivers,  come  not  originally  from  the 
basin  where  they  are  first  visible.  They  have  a  secret 
connection,  unseen  but  constant,  with  a  hidden,  unfailing, 
exhaustless  reservoir,  in  unknown  distance  and  depth. 
By  continual  supplies,  thence  received,  the  fountain  over- 
flows ;  and  the  streams  flow  on,  and  come  into  fellowship 
with  other  streams,  having  a  similar  reservoir;  and  at 
last  they  all  unite  in  the  mighty  ocean.  So  let  us  all 
draw  from  the  hidden,  unsearchable  fullness  of  Christ,  the 
exhaustless  reservoir,  hid  from  the  eye  of  flesh,  but  known 
to  the  eye  of  faith ;  and  we  shall  come  in  due  time,  after 
refreshing  many  a  thirsty  land  in  our  way  thither,  into 
the  full  ocean  of  joy  prepared  for  the  whole  Church  of 
Christ." 

The  ministrations  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  and  his  private 
intercourse,  in  these  closing  months,  had  the  same  ripe 
and  holy  character,  which  marked  his  northern  visit  and 
journey.  On  Sept.  30,  before  the  sacrament,  his  subject 
was  those  words  of  St.  John,  "  Truly  our  fellowship  is 
with  the  Father  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ;"  "ser- 
mons," says  one  of  his  hearers,  "  which  almost  translated 
the  hearer  to  heaven  by  the  vividness  he  imparted  to  the 
soul-gladdening  themes.  He  dwelt  on  God's  fellowship 
with  us,  the  high  and  Holy  One,  condescending  to  all  our 
wants,  sympathizing  with  all  our  sorrows,  numbering 
the  very  hairs  of  our  head ;  on  the  fullness  of  intimacy 


POST-OFFICE  SUNDAY  LABOR. 


379 


the  term  implies;  and  then  our  fellowship  with  Him 
through  the  Holy  Spirit  working  in  us,  raising  up  our 
earthly  minds,  and  creating  in  us  those  tastes  and  affec- 
tions, which  alone  can  prepare  us  for  complete  fellowship 
with  Him  forever."  On  October  28,  soon  after  his  re- 
turn, he  preached  on  Melchizedek — "  cheering,  beautiful 
sermons;"  and  after  speaking  of  him  as  a  type  of  Christ, 
in  his  origin,  his  union  of  offices,  &c,  he  closed  with  "  a 
glowing  description  of  the  feast,  which  this  Royal  Priest, 
the  King  of  righteousness  and  of  peace,  will  make  to  His 
warriors,  after  the  toils  of  their  long  conflict  are  over,  and 
when  the  crown  of  victory  shall  be  theirs  for  evermore." 

The  journal  of  these  closing  months  of  the  year  thus 
continues : 

"  Oct.  27.  The  Church  of  Christ  has  been  greatly  stirred 
up  by  attempts  to  desecrate  the  Sabbath  in  London  by 
Post-office  employment.  I  hope,  through  God's  mercy,  it 
may  yet  be  the  means  of  having  a  rest  through  the  land 
from  Post-office  work  on  the  Lord's  day." 

Mr.  Bickersteth  attended  several  meetings  in  London  at 
this  time,  in  connection  with  the  important  question,  thus 
re-opened.  It  is  remarkable  that,  after  beginning  life  in 
the  Post-office,  one  of  his  latest  and  most  earnest  efforts 
should  have  been  to  relieve  those,  employed  in  the  same 
work,  from  the  compulsory  desecration  of  the  Lord's  day. 
It  is  earnestly  to  be  hoped  that  the  fresh  difficulties  which 
have  arisen,  from  the  strange  and  vacillating  course  adopted 
by  government,  may  not  hinder  the  accomplishment  of  this 
great  object.  It  continued  dear  to  his  heart,  even  to  his 
dying  hour. 

"  Nov.  24.  I  have  just  been  passing  a  very  busy  week 
in  London  at  our  prophetical  meetings,  which  were  this 
year  more  interesting  than  usual.  We  had  also  a  very  im- 
portant meeting  yesterday,  in  Exeter  Hall,  for  the  Irish 
Church  Missions.  I  trust  that  much  interest  was  awa- 
kened for  that  blessed  object.  I  met  also  a  large  body  of  the 
clergy  on  the  Gorham  cause.  The  Lord  deliver  His  church 
from  enemies  to  evangelical  truth. 


380  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  Incessant  moving  has  been  unfavorable  to  health,  both 
in  body  and  soul ;  yet  I  am  pressed  much  for  the  aid  I  can 
render  to  good  causes.  O  Lord,  let  grace  abound,  to  par- 
don sin,  and  to  strengthen  for  duty ! 

"  Dec.  23.  We  are  coming  near  the  close  of  another 
year.  This  month  has  been  one  of  great  excitement  in 
our  church,  from  the  progress  of  the  ecclesiastical  cause  on 
Baptismal  Regeneration,  before  the  Judicial  Committee  of 
the  Privy  Council.  It  has  taken  a  long  time,  and  is  yet 
undecided.  The  Lord  grant  that  His  truth  may  not  be 
oppressed  and  hindered.  I  have  published  several  letters 
on  the  subject. 

"  0  that  it  were  with  me  personally,  as  it  ought  to  be,  in 
all  close  walking  with  God  ;  and  personal  faith,  hope,  and 
love !  There  is  a  wonderful  mixture  of  right  and  wrong 
in  all  I  think  and  feel,  and  say  and  do.  Sometimes  I  seem 
to  be  serving  God  vigorously,  and  at  other  times  I  am  cold 
and  earthly,  dead  and  fruitless.  May  I  walk  after  the 
Spirit  more  and  more." 

At  the  opening  of  Advent,  in  a  letter  to  his  son,  he  thus 
alluded  to  the  cause  which  he  had  so  specially  at  heart, — 
the  Missions  in  Ireland. 

Watton,  Nov.  26. 

My  beloved  Edward, 
I  should  like  to  write  a  long  letter,  but  I  am  greatly  pressed 
with  work.  I  thought  of  taking  parables  for  this  Advent  (1)  the 
Tares,  Matt.  xiii.  ;  (2)  the  Servants  waiting  for  their  Lord,  Luke 
xii.  36  ;  (3)  the  Ten  Virgins,  Matt,  xxv ;  (4)  the  Talents,  Matt, 
xxv.  If  your  mind  turns  the  same  way,  it  will  be  pleasant  for 
father  and  son  to  be  telling  out  the  same  truths,  at  this  remarka- 
ble crisis. 

Our  prophetical  meetings  were  very  good  ;  but  the  crowning 
meeting  of  the  week  was  our  Irish  Church  Missions  on  Friday. 
The  large  room  in  Exeter  Hall  was  quite  filled,  and  the  speeches 
were  good,  and  the  interest  kept  up  to  the  end.  We  shall  re- 
ceive, I  hope,  between  three  and  four  hundred  pounds  from  the 
meeting,  and  I  hope  that  it  will  be  the  beginning  of  larger  funds 
from  the  country.    God  is  greatly  blessing  the  missions  ;  and  if  it 


IRISH  CHUfiCH  MISSIONS. 


381 


be  His  will,  we  shall  commence  a  new  day  for  Ireland.  Glory  to 
Him  only  ! 

Let  us  be  faithful  to  Christ,  dear  son,  and  He  will  welcome  us 
in  the  day  of  His  appearing  ;  and  our  wives  and  our  children  too. 
Remember  not  to  idolize  your  babe,  but  to  think  of  her  as  more 
the  Lord's  than  yours,  and  to  be  trained,  not  in  softness,  but  in 
good  discipline  for  Him. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

E.  BiCKERSTETH. 

The  meeting  of  Nov.  23,  the  last  London  public  meet- 
ing in  which  Mr.  Bickersteth  took  a  part,  was  one  of  al- 
most romantic  interest — a  fit  and  worthy  close  of  those 
abundant  labors,  in  which  he  had  been  occupied  for  more 
than  thirty-five  years  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Mr.  Dallas 
and  Mr.  Wilkinson,  who  had  j  ust  returned  from  Ireland, 
recounted  at  length  the  mercies  of  God  which  they  had 
witnessed,  and  the  cheering  triumphs  of  the  gospel  in  dis- 
tricts which  had  long  been  seated  in  spiritual  darkness. 
More  than  four  hundred  recent  converts  had  just  been  con- 
firmed by  the  Bishop  of  Tuam,  and  had  continued  faith- 
ful in  the  midst  of  trying  and  bitter  persecution  ;  the  bit- 
ter but  natural  fruit  to  those  principles,  which  the  British 
Government  were  training  five  hundred  priests,  in  May- 
nooth,  to  disseminate  throughout  the  land.  After  these 
reports  of  eye-witnesses,  Mr.  Bickersteth,  who  had  been 
the  main-spring  of  the  cause  in  England,  as  Mr.  Dallas  in 
Ireland,  was  called  upon  to  move  the  first  resolution,  ex- 
pressive of  deep  thankfulness  to  Almighty  God.  His  re- 
marks were  in  his  usual  spirit  of  glowing  praise  and  fer- 
vent love. 

"  Let  God  our  Savior  have  the  glory ;  it  is  His  work  !  a 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bringing  men  out  of  darkness  into 
the  light  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  ...  It  rests  now 
with  British  Protestants  to  enter  in  at  the  breach  that  has 
been  made.  This  is  the  only  real  love  we  can  show  to  our 
Roman  Catholic  brethren.  I  hate  love  with  dissimulation ; 
we  must  abhor  that  which  is  evil,  and  cleave  to  that 
which  is  good.    I  denounce  all  grants  to  Maynooth  as  mis- 


382 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


erable  bribery  and  transparent  selfishness.  It  is  an  at- 
tempt to  bribe  Popery  with  a  sop  ;  but  Papists  have  too 
much  sense,  earnestness,  and  zeal,  to  be  bribed  in  that  way. 
They  will  rightly  feel  only  encouraged  to  seek  for  more ; 
but  let  us  tell  them  that  their  souls  are  endangered  while 
under  Popery ;  then  their  consciences  are  awakened. 
Nothing  but  God's  truth  will  enable  us  to  achieve  the  vic- 
tory. We  plant  our  standard  here,  that  Popery  is  an  apos- 
tasy from  true  Christianity.  The  noble  Christian  revenge 
we  will  take  on  the  Romanists  shall  be  this — while  they 
would  take  away  from  the  Irish  Church  its  revenues  and 
honors,  we  will  enrich  them,  if  we  can,  with  the  best  of  all 
blessings,  the  knowledge  of  Christ  for  their  own  eternal  sal- 
vation. The  heavenly  voice  to  those  in  Babylon  is,  1  Come 
out  of  her,  my  people.'  We  desire  to  have  a  full  harvest, 
in  such  a  time,  of  ransomed  Roman  Catholics,  recovered 
from  that  fearful  apostasy.  I  can  appeal  to  themselves, 
if  they  will  give  us  credit  for  believing  the  Protestant 
faith  to  be  the  true  faith,  that  ours  is  the  only  honest,  the 
only  loving,  the  only  really  Christian  course." 

Three  days  before  this  parting  testimony,  in  public,  to 
the  duty  of  Protestant  Christians,  to  resist  Popery  by  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  spread  the  Gospel  among  their 
fellow-countrymen  in  Ireland,  Mr.  Bickersteth  gave  a  sim- 
ilar expression  to  his  feelings  on  the  subject  of  mutual 
love  and  brotherly  union,  in  a  letter  to  the  Mons.  Bland, 
of  Fontainebleau,  who  was  about  to  edit  a  journal  in  har- 
mony with  the  principles  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance. 
This  double  testimony,  with  a  journey  to  Birmingham  in 
January,  for  the  Foreign  Churches,  closed  his  long  course 
of  public  labors  for  the  cause  of  Christ. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Bulletin  du  Monde  Chretien. 

Watton  Rectory,  November  20, 1849. 

My  dear  Sir, 

It  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  hear,  through  my  friend,  Sir  C. 
Eardley,  of  your  projected  publication,  to  promote  the  love  of  the 
brethren  of  our  one  Head  and  Elder  Brother,  Christ  Jesus, 


THE  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE. 


383 


throughout  Christendom.  Under  the  solemn  warning  of  our 
blessed  Master — "  Because  iniquity  shall  abound,  the  love  of 
many  shall  wax  cold" — it  becomes  us  to  be  especially  watchful 
against  the  predicted  evil,  and  in  every  possible  way  to  foster 
brotherly  love. 

God  has  honored  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  formed  among  us 
in  1846,  for  this  end.  It  brought  us  acquainted  with  many  be- 
loved Christians,  from  France,  Germany,  the  United  States,  and 
other  parts  of  the  world,  whom  to  know  was  to  love.  And  amid 
all  the  shakings  of  the  nations  since  this,  brotherly  love  has  con- 
tinued, with  real  consolation  and  true  blessedness. 

My  hope  is  that  your  proposed  work  will  bring  us  more  ac- 
quainted with  Evangelical  Brethren,  especially  in  France,  and 
with  all  they  are  doing  to  maintain  and  extend  the  gospel  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  union  of  brethren  of  various  nations 
is  as  important  and  as  blessed,  as  the  union  of  brethren  of  vari- 
ous denominations  in  the  same  country.  We  belong  to  one  king- 
dom, the  kingdom  of  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Whatever  our  respective  systems  of  Government,  in 
Church  and  State,  we  have  all  one  great  Sovereign,  Head  over 
all  things  to  His  Church,  who  alone  raises  others  to  power  ; 
and  wherever  we  are,  we  rejoice  to  submit  to  the  powers  that  be, 
as  ordained  by  Him,  and  His  ministers  for  good  ;  our  loyalty  to 
Christ,  helping,  not  hindering,  our  submission  to  every  ordinance 
of  man  for  the  Lord's  sake. 

But  that  which  draws  us  near  to  each  other,  really  and  ef- 
fectually, is  the  sense  of  our  common  ruin  in  Adam,  and  by  our 
personal  transgressions  ;  the  most  wonderful  love  of  God  in  giving 
His  only  Son  to  die  for  us ;  the  common  faith  we  have  in  this 
rich  grace  of  our  God  ;  the  quickening  of  our  dead  souls  by  His 
Spirit ;  the  fellowship  we  have  with  the  Father,  and  His  Son 
Jesus  Christ  ;  the  glowing  love  His  Spirit  has  kindled  in  our 
hearts,  first  to  Himself,  then  to  the  household  of  faith,  and  then 
to  all  men  ;  the  work  now  to  be  done,  to  glorify  His  name  ;  and 
then,  the  bright  hope  of  the  coming  glory,  when  we  shall  be 
gathered  together  from  all  lands  into  His  blissful  presence,  and 
ever  be  with  the  Lord. 

While  looking  at  these  great  things,  we  seem  almost  to  lose 
Bight  of  all  the  lesser  differences,  of  country,  and  form  of  govern- 
ment, and  denomination  of  Christianity  ;  and  we  cry  from  the 


384 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


heart,  "  Grace  be  with  all  those  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  sincerity." 

And  this  must  make  us  sympathize  with  our  brethren,  in  their 
joys  and  in  their  sorrows,  in  their  successes  and  in  their  disap- 
pointments. What  we  wish  for  our  brethren  is,  that  they  may 
be  greatly  honored  of  God,  in  spreading  that  heavenly  joy  and 
peace  and  love,  which  are  to  be  found,  as  we  know  by  happy  ex- 
perience, in  Christ  Jesus  alone ;  blessing  man  here  with  true  rest 
of  soul,  and  righteousness  of  life  before  God  and  man,  and 
blessing  us  forever  in  that  eternal  kingdom  to  which  we  are 
hastening. 

The  state  of  the  whole  Christian  world,  whether  we  look  at 
the  Greek  and  Eastern  Churches,  at  the  Roman  or  the  Protes- 
tant, has  become  so  apostate  from  these  Scriptural  principles  and 
this  holy  practice,  that  never  was  the  union  of  the  true  children 
of  God  more  needed,  to  manifest  the  true  light  and  love  of  the 
gospel. 

And  thanks  be  to  God,  never  were  there  fuller  opportunities 
given,  and  greater  doors  opened,  for  the  widest  diffusion  of  the 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  All  other  remedies  have  failed  to 
supply  men's  thirst  for  righteousness  and  love.  The  gospel,  the 
gospel  only,  is  God's  effective  remedy.  As  our  brother  Merle 
d'Aubigne  has  said  in  one  of  his  valuable  discourses,  the  word 
of  God  only,  the  grace  of  Christ  only,  the  work  of  the  Spirit 
only — these  are  the  mighty  instruments  which  God  has  given,  to 
regenerate  the  human  race,  and  prepare  us  for  the  coming,  the 
kingdom  and  the  glory  of  our  Redeemer. 

Being  greatly  pressed  with  many  duties,  I  have  written  the 
first  thoughts  that  have  arisen  in  my  mind,  on  hearing  of  your 
publication  ;  and  if  they  will  be,  in  your  judgment,  of  any  value 
in  promoting  mutual  love,  you  are  quite  at  liberty  to  use  them. 
In  our  one  Lord,  affectionately  yours, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 
A.  D.  1850. 

The  public  labors  of  Mr.  Bickersteth  had  now  nearly- 
reached  their  close.  Incessant  work,  and  the  mental  ac- 
tivity of  more  than  forty  years,  without  exhausting,  in 
other  respects,  his  strong  constitution,  had  worn  out  the 
organ  of  thought,  and  brought  on  a  fatal  disease,  which 
baffled  the  efforts  of  medical  skill.  Though  others  of  his 
friends  had  discovered  the  traces  of  growing  bodily  infir- 
mity, his  habitual  cheerfulness  had  so  disguised  its  ad- 
vances when  he  was  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  that  the 
blow  came  suddenly  upon  them.  In  the  very  midst  of 
his  abundant  labors  he  was  removed  to  his  rest. 

The  second  week  of  January  was  full  of  varied  interest. 
Along  with  three  of  his  family,  he  went  up  to  London, 
that  he  might  take  part  in  the  annual  meeting  of  clergy, 
at  the  Rev.  D.  Wilson's,  the  next  door  to  his  former  resi- 
dence. He  had  assigned  to  him  for  his  subject,  "  the 
Dangers  of  Rationalism,  and  the  proper  means  of  resisting 
them."  It  was  observed  by  several  that  he  did  not  speak 
with  his  usual  power  and  freedom,  which  was  probably  due 
to  the  unsuspected  approaches  of  his  fatal  disease.  The 
next  day  he  accompanied  some  of  the  party  to  Greenwich 
Observatory.  The  weather  was  most  inclement,  the  ground 
being  entirely  cased  in  a  sheet  of  ice,  and  he  seemed  more 
than  usually  sensible  to  its  influence ;  and  referred,  several 
times  afterward,  to  Mrs.  Airy's  hospitable  refreshment 
with  expressions  of  peculiar  pleasure.    The  same  even- 

vol.  n. — R 


886  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


ing  the  whole  party  returned  to  Watton,  for  one  of  those 
happy  domestic  gatherings,  in  which  he  had  so  often  dif- 
fused light,  love,  and  cheerfulness  around  him.  On  Fri- 
day afternoon,  Spencer  Thornton,  who  had  also  been  at 
the  Islington  meeting,  called  at  the  Eectory.  The  writer 
was  present  at  their  short  conversation  in  Mr.  Bickersteth's 
study,  and  little  dreamed  how  soon  he  would  be  the  sole 
survivor  of  the  three  who  were  met  together.  It  was  de- 
lightful to  see  the  mutual  affection  and  honor  of  these 
servants  of  Christ ;  tempered,  on  one  side  by  deep  respect 
as  to  a  father  in  Israel ;  and  mingled,  on  the  other,  with 
peculiar  delight  in  the  grace  given  to  a  son  in  the  ministry, 
more  gifted,  perhaps,  than  himself,  in  the  one  special  work 
of  pastoral  visitation.  When  the  party  was  increased  by 
the  rest  of  the  family  coming  in,  Mr.  Thornton  took  Mr. 
Bickersteth's  little  grand-daughter  on  his  knee,  to  tell  her 
the  names  of  his  own  seven  children.  The  very  next 
morning,  while  he  was  passing  through  the  streets  of  Lon- 
don, on  his  way  to  his  home,  he  dropped  down  suddenly, 
and  expired  in  a  few  minutes. 

This  mournful  event,  the  tidings  of  which  came  on 
Monday  morning,  made  a  deep  impression  on  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth.  His  son  arrived  from  Banningham  that  day ;  but 
a  shade  of  more  solemn  thought  had  passed  over  the 
happy  new-year's  gathering,  as  if  to  prepare  the  family  for 
their  own  more  immediate  sorrow.  He  preached  on  the 
subject,  on  the  next  Lord's  day  in  the  morning,  from 
those  words  of  our  Lord,  "What  I  do  thou  knowest  not 
now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  "  How  far  more 
likely,  ten  days  ago,"  he  said,  "that  he  should  be  preach- 
ing a  funeral  sermon  for  my  death,  than  that  I  should 
now  be  preaching  his."  His  own  funeral  sermons  were 
preached  only  seven  weeks  from  that  day.  Several  inci- 
dents occurred  during  this  family  meeting,  which  seemed 
afterward  as  if  there  were  the  presentiment  in  his  mind 
of  his  approaching  change ;  as  when  after  caressing  his 
little  grand-daughter,  he  said  more  than  once — "  I  think 
she  is  old  enough  now  to  remember  Watton." 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


387 


On  Monday,  January  21,  the  writer  parted  from  him 
for  the  last  time,  and  under  peculiar  circumstances.  He 
had  engaged  to  speak  for  the  Foreign  Aid  Society,  a 
cause  always  dear  to  him,  at  Birmingham,  on  Tuesday 
evening.  The  day  had  since  been  changed  to  Monday, 
but  he  had  omitted  to  note  the  alteration  in  his  paper  of 
engagements,  and,  what  was  still  more  unusual,  it  had 
escaped  his  memory.  When  he  was  consulting  about  the 
train  by  which  he  should  go  on  Tuesday,  the  change  was 
pointed  out  to  him.  He  seemed  to  recollect  it  with  some 
effort,  and  proceeded  at  once,  with  his  constant  and  careful 
fidelity  to  engagements,  to  make  speedy  preparation  for 
setting  out,  so  as  to  arrive  that  same  evening.  We  felt 
that  he  would  be  more  harassed  by  the  sense  of  having 
broken  his  promise  than  even  by  the  hurried  journey,  and 
only  prevailed  on  him  to  take  a  more  convenient  train,  so 
as  to  reach  Birmingham  after  the  meeting  had  been  some 
time  begun.  His  arrival  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the 
friends  who  had  been  anxiously  awaiting  him,  and  had 
almost  ceased  to  expect  him.  His  speech  was  earnest  and 
effective ;  but  the  excitement  of  this  journey  was  probably 
the  last  strain  under  which  his  nervous  system,  long  pressed 
to  the  uttermost,  finally  gave  way. 

On  his  return  he  employed  himself  busily  in  preparing 
the  brief  obituary  of  his  dear  friend,  Mr.  Thornton,  which 
appeared  in  the  Christian  Observer  the  day  after  his  own 
death.  Almost  his  last  act,  before  his  illness  began,  was 
to  request  that  it  might  be  forwarded  to  the  Editor,  for 
further  correction  and  revision. 

On  Saturday  the  26th,  before  the  communion,  he  made 
the  last  entry  in  his  private  journal.  The  words  which 
close  it  are  very  expressive  of  that  growing  humility 
which  marks  the  children  of  God,  as  they  draw  nearer  to 
the  presence  of  the  Infinite  Holiness. 

"  Jan.  26,  1850.  It  has  pleased  God  very  suddenly  to 
take  to  Himself  my  beloved  friend  and  brother,  Spencer 
Thornton,  in  the  midst  of  apparent  health,  while  walking 


388  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


in  the  streets  of  London.  What  a  lesson  to  be  ever  mind- 
ful of  our  latter  end ! 

"I  have  been  to  Birmingham  for  the  Foreign  Aid  So- 
ciety ;  the  Lord  watching  over,  strengthening,  and  pros- 
pering. 0  that  He  should  ever  condescend  to  use  one  so 
sinful  and  unworthy.  The  fifty-first  Psalm  is  the  Scrip- 
tural prayer  that  most  suits  me.  Lord,  give  me  more  and 
more  self-loathing!" 

The  following  day,  January  27,  he  preached  his  last 
sermons,  from  the  remarkable  text — "  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world."  He  seemed  peculiarly 
drawn  out  by  the  glorious  subject,  and  spoke  energeti- 
cally of  all  earthly  joy,  when  compared  with  God's  favor, 
as  only  "like  a  farthing  rushlight,  compared  with  the 
brightness  of  the  noon-day  sun."  After  the  two  sermons 
were  ended,  he  took,  as  usual,  the  evening  Lecture  in  the 
school-room,  a  service  in  which  he  always  seemed  to  have 
peculiar  enjoyment.  His  last  Sabbath  of  public  labor 
was  closed  by  singing  with  his  family  the  beautiful  hymn 
— "Jerusalem,  my  happy  home,"  which  had  long  been 
one  of  his  especial  favorites.  Already  his  spirit  longed 
to  join  the  society  of  heaven. 

On  the  previous  Friday  (his  son's  birth-day)  he  wrote 
to  him  the  following  note  of  parental  affection,  of  which 
the  last  paragraph  has  now  a  touching  significance. 

January  25. 

My  beloved  Son, 
We  can  not  let  your  birth-day  pass,  without  a  word  to  show 
that  we  remember  it  and  you,  with  all  grateful  affections.  Your 
visit  was  most  pleasant  to  us  all,  and  we  bless  God  for  the  bless- 
edness He  has  bestowed  upon  you  ;  first,  in  His  quickening 
grace,  and  in  calling  you  to  be  faithful  in  the  ministry,  and 
then  in  your  very  precious  wife  and  child.  He  loves  you  much, 
and  us  also,  in  thus  blessing  you ;  and  who  can  tell  what  He 
means  to  do  for  you,  and  by  you  ?  Be  of  good  cheer.  In  our 
family  reading  we  had  the  passage — "  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can 
be  against  us?"    This  is  for  you,  my  E.  and  It.    The  most 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


389 


sunny  part  of  our  letters  this  morning  was  your  description  of 
your  child's  recollections  and  greetings.  Dear  little  one,  if  I  may 
judge  by  my  own  children,  she  will  love  you  more  and  more,  as 
she  grows  older. 

We  are  much  as  usual,  except  your  beloved  mother,  who  has 
a  bad  cold,  and  is  rather  a  bad  one  at  nursing  herself.  It  was 
well  I  went  on  to  Birmingham.  They  had  not  given  me  up, 
and  my  arrival  was  warmly  greeted. 

T  have  written  an  account  of  Spencer  Thornton  for  the  next 
Observer.    Blessed  be  God  for  sparing  our  own  beloved  son  to  us. 

Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

E.  BlCKERSTETH. 

On  Tuesday,  for  the  first  time,  Mrs.  Bickersteth  and  his 
daughters  were  seriously  alarmed  by  his  lassitude,  which 
they  had  ascribed  simply  to  influenza,  and  sent  for  Mr. 
Dalgleish,  his  medical  adviser,  to  whose  skillful  and  zeal- 
ous care  they  had  been  so  much  indebted  at  the  time  of 
his  accident.  He  saw  the  danger  at  once,  and  told  them 
that  the  drowsiness  and  languor  were  premonitory  signs  of 
a  second  paralytic  stroke ;  and  forbade  every  kind  of 
mental  exertion,  and  even  the  usual  exposition  in  family 
worship. 

For  two  or  three  days  active  remedies  were  used,  but  he 
could  only  with  great  difficulty  be  persuaded  to  give  up 
his  various  engagements,  including  a  Bloomsbury  Lecture, 
which  he  had  just  begun,  on  the  Goodness  of  God  in  His 
dealings  with  Israel,  and  a  journey  to  Torquay,  with  ser- 
mons and  meetings  for  more  than  one  Society.  On  Friday 
he  made  a  very  characteristic  remark,  with  reference  to 
an  accident  in  the  village,  in  which  a  boy  had  narrowly 
escaped  death  in  a  chalk-pit.  "  My  mind,"  he  said,  "  has 
been  a  good  deal  exercised  about  him  in  the  night.  I  was 
thinking  of  the  way  in  which  they  drew  him  out,  as  a 
parable;  in  digging  him  out,  they  hurt  him  witli  their 
pickaxes.  This  should  be  a  lesson  to  us,  to  deal  very 
gently  with  the  souls  we  would  draw  to  Christ.  '  If  any 
man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  ye  that  are  spiritual,  restore 
such  an  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness.'  " 


390 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


On  Saturday,  in  the  intervals  between  the  remedies, 
he  read  "Curzon  on  the  Eastern  Monasteries,"  which  had 
been  kindly  lent  him  at  this  time,  as  a  .relaxation,  when 
his  usual  studies  were  prohibited.  His  usual  cheerfulness 
continued.  "  The  daggers  of  the  leeches,"  he  said  to  his 
wife  and  children,  "  were  as  sharp  as  those  which  threat- 
ened Mr.  Curzon,  but  it  was  well  they  sought  his  health 
and  not  his  destruction."  In  the  evening  he  was  persuaded 
not  to  take  part  in  the  usual  prayer-meeting,  but  to  re- 
ceive Mr.  Waterman,  an  American  clergyman,  who  was 
expected  to  arrive  soon  after  it  had  begun.  The  first  dis- 
tinct signs  of  a  failing  memory  occurred  on  his  arrival. 
He  seemed  surprised  when  he  found  that  the  meeting  was 
over,  called  together  those  who  remained,  kneeled  down, 
and  offered  a  prayer  for  a  full  blessing  on  the  morrow's 
services,  and  then  asked  for  the  hymn,  numbered  "Second 
125"  in  his  own  hymn-book,  written  by  the  lamented 
Henry  Kirke  White. 

Oft  in  sorrow,  oft  in  woe, 
Onward,  Christian,  onward  go  ; 
Fight  the  fight,  maintain  the  strife 
Strengthened  by  the  bread  of  life. 

Let  your  drooping  hearts  be  glad, 
March,  in  heavenly  armor  clad  ; 
In  your  very  weakness  strong, 
Fight,  nor  think  the  battle  long. 

Let  not  sorrow  dim  your  eye, 
Soon  shall  every  tear  be  dry ; 
Onward  still  in  battle  move, 
More  than  conquerors  shall  ye  prove. 

It  was  the  last  hymn  which  he  ever  sung  on  earth. 

That  evening  he  seemed  to  have  some  strong  impres- 
sion that  his  time  was  short,  and  with  his  usual  practical 
thoughtfulness,  explained  to  Mrs.  Bickersteth  about  his 
private  papers.  In  the  night  he  complained  of  distracting 
pain  in  his  head,  and  said  to  her  the  next  morning — 
"  Heaven  is  near."    Throughout  the  day  powerful  reme- 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


391 


dies  \tfere  applied,  but  with,  very  partial  effect.  His  clear, 
happy  faith  shone  out,  amid  his  weaknesSj  as  unclouded 
as  ever.  "  What  a  comfort  it  is,"  he  said  to  them,  "  not 
to  have  to  seek  salvation  now;  I  can  enjoy  a  salvation 
found !  I  know  whom  I  have  believed.  The  Gospel  is  a 
reality.  I  find  it  to  be  so  now."  And  again,  after  an  in- 
terval— "  Salvation  sought  is  with  fear  and  trembling ; 
salvation  found  is  always  ready."  When  a  cup  of  tea  was 
offered  him,  he  said — "  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation, 
and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Soon  after,  he 
added — "  That  is  a  noble  testimony  of  St.  Paul,  '  I  know 
in  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  he  is  able  to 
keep  that  which  I  have  committed  to  him  until  the  day 
of  Christ.'  "  Then,  turning  to  his  wife—"  We  ought  to 
bear  testimony  to  the  truth  of  His  promises."  She  asked 
what  message  she  should  send  to  Kelshall — "  Say,  I  am 
very  happy  in  God's  love."  Yet  a  playful  cheerfulness 
mingled  with  his  deep,  solid  joy,  and  his  bodily  sufferings. 
When  some  severe  remedies  were  applied,  he  said — 
"  These  are  fiery  serpents.  I  wonder  the  Papists  have 
never  used  them  for  instruments  of  torture,  to  extort  con- 
fessions." Then,  soon  after — "  I  have  so  many  mercies,  I 
ought  to  be  full  of  praise.  How  easy  love  makes  every 
thing,  when  we  know  the  love  of  God  !  This  is  a  sweet 
direction.  '  In  every  thing  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  you.'  There  is  more 
divinity  in  that  verse  than  in  all  the  Fathers.  It  is  a  bit 
of  gold  that  enriches ;  they  talk  of  the  gold  of  California, 
but  the  gold  of  that  land  is  good." 

Something  led  him  to  allude  to  the  forests  of  America, 
and  the  early  settlers,  when  he  added  with  much  energy, 
referring  to  their  expulsion  from  England — "  There  can 
be  no  peace  without  liberty  of  conscience.  They  made  a 
solitude,  and  called  it  peace."  Then  to  his  daughter,  who 
was  nursing  him — "  You  have  a  very  angelic  office,  my 
child,  ministering  to  an  heir  of  salvation." 

During  the  night,  the  text  Isa.  xxvi.  3,  being  read  to  him, 
he  repeated  the  words—"  '  Because  he  trusteth  in  Thee.' 


392  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 

That  is — the  Lord  delights  to  honor  confidence  in  Him. 
"What  a  God  He  is  to  trust  in !" 

On  Monday,  February  4,  he  seemed  much  better.  His 
brother  had  come  from  Liverpool,  on  receiving  a  tele- 
graphic message.  On  his  arrival,  he  walked  down  stairs, 
and  had  an  hour's  conversation  on  the  Gorham  cause  and 
other  matters,  and  spent  much  of  the  afternoon  in  reading, 
when  his  brother  had  returned.  But  the  excitement  was 
followed  in  the  evening  by  a  relapse  into  torpor  and  de- 
bility. After  a  restless  night,  he  called  his  youngest 
daughter  to  him,  and  said — "  I  will  give  you  a  text — 
'The  Lord  is  my  keeper,  my  shade  upon  my  right  hand.' 
He  keeps  us  from  all  the  most  subtile  temptations  of  the 
enemy:  what  a  Deliverer  He  is!"  The  following  night 
he  called  his  daughter,  who  was  then  watching  with  him, 
and  said, — "  I  want  to  give  you  a  Father's  blessing:  'The 
Lord  bless  thee,  lift  up  the  light  of  His  countenance  upon 
thee,  and  shine  upon  thee,  give  thee  peace,  and  make 
thee  happy,  now  and  forever.'  "  Again  he  asked — "What 
have  you  been  reading  ?  The  Bible.  That  is  best.  What 
different  aspects  it  has  under  different  experiences !  Pas- 
sages read  in  a  sick-room  come  with  more  power  than 
ever  they  did  before.  What  part  did  you  read?"  "  '  Be- 
cause Thou  hast  been  my  help,  therefore  under  the  shadow 
of  Thy  wings  will  I  put  my  trust.'  "  "  That  is  past  ex- 
perience, leading  to  future  joy  and  future  faith.  '  The 
shadow  of  Thy  wings!'  beautiful  expression!  under  the 
mercy-seat,  under  the  parent  hen !  So  near  to  Him !  Yes, 
nestling  in  all  His  warmth  and  love."  Afterward,  when 
a  cup  of  tea  was  brought  to  him — "  I  will  give  you  a  cup 
of  living  water  for  your  cup  of  tea.  I  have  been  thinking 
of  it  for  a  long  time;  it  is  this:  'But,  beloved,  building 
yourselves  up  in  your  most  holy  faith,  keep  yourselves  in 
the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  unto  eternal  life.'  There  may  be  pleasant  rooms 
here  to  dwell  in  (mentioning  one  and  another) ;  but  the 
best  room  of  all  to  keep  in,  is,  the  love  of  God.  What  a 
prospect  we  have  from  it!  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


393 


Lord  Jesus  Christ,  unto  eternal  life!  What  boundless 
mansions  of  glorjr  are  these!" 

This  day  his  son  arrived  from  Banningham,  and  one 
of  his  daughters  returned  from  Kelshall,  where  she  had 
been  spending  a  few  days.  To  the  latter  he  said  :  "  The 
heights  of  glory  are  what  will  humble  us  ;  there  is  no  hu- 
miliation like  that."  On  his  son  asking  how  he  felt,  he 
said : — "  Pretty  well :  the  visions  of  glory  have  been  quite 
indescribable.  '  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
hath  it  entered  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive,  the  good 
things  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  hue  Him.'  All 
the  images  of  Revelation  fall  far  short  of  the  reality." 
"  Do  you  want  any  thing,  dearest  father  ?"  said  one  of 
them.  "No,  dear,  only  a  more  thankful  heart."  "The 
medicine  makes  you  weak."  "  But  grace  makes  me 
strong.  They  that  wait  on  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength." 

Mention  was  made  by  his  nurse  of  a  Christian,  who 
had  wished  for  death.  He  continued— "  Like  St.  Paul, 
longing  to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better. 
Why  is  it  better  ?  No  pain,  no  fears,  no  sorrow,  no  sepa- 
ration, no  absence- — with  Christ.  Here,  even  in  our  best 
times,  we  have  pains  and  partings ;  there,  no  more." 

On  Friday,  his  mind,  sometimes  incoherent,  seemed  to 
roam  amid  its  literary  stores.  "  I  am  in  a  whirl  of  ge- 
nius, perplexed  with  M.  and  transcendentalism."  He  then 
spoke  of  his  poor  people,  and  schemes  of  instruction  and 
amusement  for  them.  When  he  rallied,  his  son  said  to 
him  :  "  The  Lord  says,  I  will  make  all  their  bed  in  their 
sickness."  He  replied :  "  That  is  the  case  with  me.  I 
have  three  dear  daughters,  and  a  dear  son,  and  kind  ser- 
vants— and  what  (looking  to  her)  should  I  do  without 
my  wife  now?" 

In  the  afternoon,  when  Isa.  xxxii.  2,  was  read  to  him, 
he  remarked  :  "That  is  all  we  want — protection, — shade 
— refuge !" 

On  Saturday,  February  9,  he  lay  in  a  stupor  most  of 
the  day.    His  son  came  over  to  Kelshall,  where  we  were 

R* 


394 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETII. 


detained  by  his  sister's  indisposition,  to  bring  the  latest 
tidings.  On  his  return,  leaning  over  him,  he  said,  "I  have 
been  to  Kelshall."  With  a  great  effort  he  answered :  "I 
doubt  not  you  found  goodness  and  mercy  following  them." 
"They  are  praying  for  you."  "Yes,  thanks  be  to  God 
for  loving  and  obedient  children."  Soon  after,  when  every 
word  was  an  effort,  his  tongue  being  swollen  with  the 
medicine;  "I  have  no  confidence  in  any  goodness  or  merit 
of  my  own.  I  place  my  whole  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  believe  I  have  faithfully  preached  His  gospel ;" 
and  then,  taking  the  hand  of  his  sick  child,  "Renounce 
every  confidence,  but  in  the  death  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 
Then,  in  a  whisper,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting !  0 
grave,  where  is  thy  victory !  Thanks  be  to  God  who 
giveth  us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For 
I  am  persuaded  that  neither  life  nor  death,  nor  princi- 
palities nor  powers,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able 
to  separate  me  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord."  Then  to  one  of  his  daughters,  appa- 
rently with  the  impression  that  his  end  was  very  near, — 
"  Tell  mamma,  '  he  that  believeth  in  Jesus  shall  not  die 
eternally  ;'  this  is  my  last  message  to  her.  She  is  worthy 
of  a  last  message."  Soon  after,  alluding  to  his  sister 
Cooper's  death,  "I  shall  soon  follow  her;  who  would  wish 
to  linger  in  this  dying  world  ?" 

In  the  night  he  whispered,  as  one  of  them  was  raising 
him :  "  I  pray  God  this  may  be  sanctified  to  me  and  to 
my  family  :  it  will  be,  with  God's  grace,  it  won't  without." 
To  his  suffering  child,  "Wearisome  days  and  nights  are 
appointed  us,  my  F  ,  but  all  will  be  well."  On  Tues- 
day, he  was  excited  and  feverish,  and  his  thoughts  turned 
much  on  his  funeral.  He  seemed  to  wish  the  Hymn  73, 
which  was  read  to  him,  to  be  sung  then,  and  repeated  the 
lines, 

Mercy's  full  power  I  then  shall  prove ; 
Loved  with  an  everlasting  love. 

Wednesday  and  Thursday  were  c'ays  of  languor,  and 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


395 


comparative,  though  not  entire,  unconsciousness.  In  the 
evening  he  said  to  his  son,  looking  earnestly  on  him, 
"He  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth; — Edward,  take  that," 
meaning  for  a  funeral  sermon.  He  had  before  suggested 
the  passage,  "  Those  that  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring 
with  him."  Then  to  another  he  said,- — •"  The  Lord  bless 
thee,  my  child,  and  make  thee  a  blessing.  If  we  honor 
our  Savior,  and  His  truth,  He  will  honor  us  ;  if  we  rally 
round  His  truth,  He  will  give  us  strength  to  support  it. " 

On  Thursday  night  the  drowsiness  deepened  into  total 
stupor,  and  all  thought  that  his  end  was  very  near.  We 
were  sent  for  from  Kelshall.  As  his  son  wrote  soon  after, 
"It  was  a  lovely  spring-like  morning,  the  lark  was  sing- 
ing its  first  spring  welcome,  the  soft  sunshine  poured 
through  the  open  window  into  that  room,  where  we  all, 
as  we  thought,  were  watching  our  father's  dying  hours ; 
but  the  loveliness  of  creation,  when  the  pang  of  parting 
was  over,  seemed  not  to  jar,  but  blend  with  the  peace  of 
the  dying  Christian.  All  hope  of  recovery  had  died  in 
our  hearts,  and  his  children  from  a  distance  were  sum- 
moned to  watch  his  departing  spirit,  when,  by  the  tender 
loving-kindness  of  our  God,  he  was  yet  restored  for  a 
few  more  days,  to  animate,  to  cheer,  and  bless.' ' 

The  revival  took  place  about  noon,  within  an  hour  be- 
fore our  arrival.  It  was  indeed  a  joy  to  find  a  bright 
eye  and  restored  consciousness,  when  it  was  feared  that 
the  spirit  might  have  fled,  before  the  mournful  privilege 
had  been  given,  even  of  witnessing  its  departure.  He 
held  out  his  hand,  saying  with  a  serious  smile — "  Well, 

dear  T  ,  I  am  a  mass  of  infirmity,  but  Christ  is  the 

strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever."  When 
his  daughter  arrived  soon  after,  he  gave  her  an  affection- 
ate greeting.  "I  am  glad  to  see  you,  my  child.  You  see 
me  a  poor  wreck,  but  Jesus  is  on  board,  and  all  will  be 

well."    Then  to  F  ,  "  You  have  been  long  a  sufferer, 

my  child ;  now  I  have  had  to  suffer  for  a  little  while,  but 
it  will  soon  be  over  now." 

On  drinking  some  cold  water,  which  was  his  greatest 


396 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


refreshment,  he  said — "  I  want  to  connect  it  with  spiritual 
blessings.  '  He  that  drinketh  of  this  water  shall  thirst 
again  ;  but  he  that  drinketh  of  the  water  I  shall  give  him 
shall  never  thirst ;  but  it  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water, 
springing  up  unto  everlasting  life.'  Its  coldness,  its  abun- 
dance, its  refreshment,  are  types  prefiguring  just  what 
the  soul  wants.  ....  Nothing  seems  to  me  so  to  resem- 
ble the  pure,  refreshing  waters  of  salvation."    Then,  to 

his  eldest  child — "  My  B  ,  I  don't  want  to  be  weary 

of  God's  dealings  with  me.  I  want  to  glorify  Jesus  in 
them,  and  to  find  him  more  precious." 

On  Saturday  he  seemed  much  recovered,  but  his  eye 
was  almost  unnaturally  bright,  for  the  torpor  of  the  brain 
was  followed  by  excessive  action,  but  calm  peace  sat  upon 
his  suffering  features.  He  said  to  his  medical  attendant — 
"You  have  had  a  troublesome  office,  Mr.  D.,  but  it  is 
nearly  over  now."  "  No,  sir,  you  have  had  the  trouble  and 
the  suffering."  "Nothing  compared  with  my  deservings. 
I  find  all  my  principles  confirmed  by  my  last  hours.  I 
have  believed  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  He  supports 
me  now.  I  commend  Him  to  you,  my  dear  sir,  as  an  only 
and  complete  Savior.  You  have  done  all  you  could  for 
my  poor  body,  it  is  right  that  I  should  commend  Christ  to 

you." 

He  sent  this  day  for  myself  and  my  beloved  wife,  and 
said  to  us,  calmly  and  deliberately — "  I  have  been  so  pub- 
lic a  character,  and  God  has  called  me  to  so  prominent  a 
part,  that  it  will  be  needful  that  some  memoir  of  me  should 
be  written.  I  have  great  comfort,  my  children,  in  intrust- 
ing it  to  you."  Then,  turning  to  myself, — "You  will  take 
care  that  every  thing  is  put  in  its  right  place,  not  exalting 
the  creature,  but  humbling  the  sinner,  and  exalting  the 
Savior."  Then,  after  a  pause — "  I  am  afraid,  where  so 
many  arrangements  have  to  be  made,  some  things  will  be 
forgotten  ;  but  we  serve  a  loving  and  gracious  and  com- 
passionate Master."  I  feared  that  he  was  exhausting  his 
feeble  strength,  and  begged  him  to  rest.  "  Quiet  rest,"  he 
answered  calmly,  "  is  in  the  sense  of  duty  performed." 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


397 


He  said,  soon  after,  to  another  of  his  children — "I  am 
anxious  lest  my  sufferings  should  be  a  stumbling-block 
to  my  children  and  servants.  When  you  see  an  aged 
Christian,  who  has  tried  to  serve  God,  suffering  in  this 
way,  it  may  be  a  difficulty  to  you,  and  I  wish  to  testify 
to  you  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  which  shall  be  re- 
vealed. Besides,  have  I  not  ten  thousand  million  allevia- 
tions? and  among  the  greatest  is  to  have  pious  children 
attending  my  dying  pillow." 

His  son,  as  he  helped  to  move  him,  having  spoken  of 
his  suffering,  he  said — "  Though  I  walk  in  the  midst  of 
trouble,  Thou  wilt  revive  me.  Oh  that  resurrection- 
glory  ;  what  will  it  be  when  these  vile  bodies  are  fashioned 
like  unto  His  glorious  body !  This  hope  supports  me 
through  all."  "  I  fear  I  am  trying  you,  dear  father." 
"  You  never  tried  me,  my  Edward,  but  you  have  always 
supported  and  helped  me ;  you  never  tried  me."  After 
an  interval — "  You  preach  the  Premillennial  Advent.  I 
know  you  do,  because  you  believe  it.  I  have  never  re- 
gretted the  Lord's  giving  me  to  grasp  that  blessed  truth." 

To  his  youngest  daughter,  he  said — "You  never  saw  a 
death-bed  before  ;  did  you?"  "  No,  dearest  father,  but  we 
hope  the  Lord  may  yet  raise  you  up  again."  "  That  is 
not  in  the  least  probable,  nor  do  I  in  the  least  desire  it. 
I  desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better. 
"What  should  I  be  raised  up  for,  except  for  my  family  ? 
and  God  will  be  with  them.  If  I  were  raised,  it  would 
be  to  a  body  of  much  weakness  and  suffering;  if  I  am 
taken,  it  is  to  glory  :  the  sufferings  of  this  present  are  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that  shall  be." 

This  day,  Saturday  the  16th,  he  called  one  of  us  to  him, 
and  dictated  this  message  to  his  people  for  the  next  day  : 
"  The  prayers  of  this  congregation  arc  desired  for  the  Rec- 
tor of  the  parish,  not  that  his  life  may  be  spared,  but  that 
he  may  throughout  his  affliction  glorify  God,  by  fresh  ex- 
ercises of  faith,  patience,  and  resignation ;  and  that  when 
the  Lord's  work  is  accomplished,  he  may  depart  hence, 


398  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BIC KERSTETH . 


and  be  with  the  Lord,  to  which  he  has  always  looked  for- 
ward as  the  highest  consummation  of  a  faithful  minister 
of  Christ." 

Early  on  Sunday  morning  his  brother  and  sister  came 
again  from  Liverpool.  It  was  a  day,  throughout,  of  full 
consciousness,  though  mingled  with  slight  incoherency, 
but  the  medical  aspect  of  the  case  was  not  improved.  lie 
thought  much  about  his  people  and  the  school-children, 
and  wished  them  to  have  copies  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend." 
"  0  that  I  could  get  a  warning  and  invitation,"  he  said,  "  to 
the  careless  souls  of  Watton.  '  Ho,  every  one  that  thirst- 
eth,  come  ye  to  the  waters.'  I  think,  Edward,  that  would 
be  a  nice  invitation."  To  myself  he  said — "  I  have  fin- 
ished my  work,  I  long  for  my  rest.  Tell  my  children 
they  must  not  detain  me  by  their  prayers."  And  again, 
when  several  were  present — "I  hope  the  faith  of  my  dear 
children  will  not  be  weakened,  but  confirmed,  by  their 
father's  last  hours."  Soon  after,  he  said  to  his  son — "I 
have  been  talking  with  my  dear  brother,  whether  this  will 
be  my  dying  illness.  He  tells  me  he  does  not  say  there  is 
no  hope.  Now,  what  he  calls  no  hope  I  call  the  most 
hopeful  of  all  things,  to  go  to  be  with  my  Savior.  He 
said,  it  would  be  so  for  me,  but  I  must  cherish  the  hope 
of  life,  for  my  family  and  parish,  and  the  Church  of  God. 
Well,  the  comfort  is,  it  does  not  depend  on  our  wishes  ;  it 
is  God's  will  that  orders  all." 

To  his  sister,  Mrs.  K.  Bickersteth,  he  said — "  I  am  so 
delighted  to  see  you."  Then,  speaking  of  Dr.  M'Keile, 
who  had  sent  a  message  by  them — "  Dear  M'Neile,  I  shall 
always  be  grateful  to  him  for  the  spiritual  good  he  has 
done  in  my  family.  I  know  no  one  who  so  unites  talent 
with  earnestness  and  singleness  of  heart,  as  he  does,  and  I 
pray  God  there  may  be  a  large  blessing  on  his  ministry." 

While  one  of  them  was  employed  in  waiting  on  him,  he 
said  to  her, — "  This  is  a  self-debasing  dispensation. "  "  Yes, 
dear  father,  but  a  Christ-exalting  one."  "  I  hope  so.  With 
all  our  knowledge  and  all  our  acquirements,  we  can  not 
rise  above  the  whirl  of  trial  and  temptation."    "But  He 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


399 


has  said,  '  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee :'  you 
will  not  be  left  in  the  temptation."  "  '  I  have  prayed  for 
thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not,'  " — he  answered — "that  inter- 
cession of  Jesus  is  absolutely  necessary." 

On  Monday,  February  18,  he  called  one  of  his  children 
and  said,  "My  child,  I  want  to  dictate  something  to  you 
on  the  mercies  of  God  in  my  last  illness."  When  entreated 
to  leave  it,  as  there  was  danger  of  injury  by  any  excite- 
ment, he  replied,  "  No,  the  desire  for  God's  glory  will 
enable  me  to  do  it.  I  think  such  a  paper  might  be  blessed 
to  my  family  when  I  am  gone.  .  .  .  There  is  the  mercy 
of  my  dear  brother  Robert  being  here,  of  our  all  being  to- 
gether a  united  family,  and  of  knowing  that  all  things 
work  together  for  our  good." 

After  alluding  to  his  brother's  great  kindness,  in  leaving 
his  important  practice,  to  see  him  at  such  a  distance,  and 
give  him  all  the  help  of  his  skill  and  experience,  he  con- 
tinued, "Another  singular  mercy  is,  that  all  my  family 
have  been  enabled  to  gather  round  my  bed,  and  the 
greatest  of  all,  that  they  have  one  heart  and  mind  with  me 
in  the  things  of  Christ.  Glory  be  to  God  for  all.  God  has 
so  blessed  my  little  store,  that  I  have  no  anxiety  for  their 
temporal  wants ;  it  might  have  been  far  otherwise.  Good- 
ness and  mercy  have  followed  me  all  the  days  of  my  life, 
and  my  cup  runneth  over  with  His  love.  I  record  it  as 
my  dying  experience  of  God's  faithfulness,  that  though 
weighed  down  with  a  suffering  body,  I  have  found  it  true, 
— 'As  thy  day  is,  so  thy  strength  shall  be,'  and  'They 
that  seek  the  Lord  shall  want  no  manner  of  thing  that  is 
good.' "  She  begged  him  to  leave  off,  saying,  that  she 
hoped  he  would  have  other  opportunities  of  finishing  it. 
He  looked  at  her  earnestly,  and  said,  "  I  do  not  deceive 
myself,  a  dying  man  has  not  many  opportunities.  I  de- 
sire to  glorify  God,  and  be  a  blessing  to  my  flock  and  chil- 
dren. He  died  for  all,  that  they  who  live,  should  not  live 
unto  themselves,  but  unto  Him  who  died  for  them.  I  trust 
my  children  may  be  better  Christians  for  the  experience 
of  the  past  week.    God  grant  it."    To  another,  who  came 


400  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


in,  and  begged  him  to  leave  it  for  the  present,  he  said — 
"  Let  us  do  what  we  can,  while  we  can." 

To  his  eldest  daughter  he  spoke  with  tender  affection. 

"  My  B  ,  you  have  been  a  comfort  to  me  ever  since 

you  were  born.  God  return  to  thee  a  thousandfold  all 
thy  filial  love,  and  make  thy  children  the  same  blessing 
to  thee,  or  a  greater ;  and  return  into  thy  bosom  full 
measure,  pressed  down,  and  running  over.  I  have  noth- 
ing but  glowing  love  to  you  and  yours."  Again,  "  I  do 
not  know  how  to  be  so  long  without  a  kiss  of  my  little 
ones,  when  I  know  they  are  not  far  off ;  they  will  forget 

their  grandpapa."    "No,  dear  father,  little  F   often 

prays  for  her  grandpapa."  "  God  bless  her,  and  give  her 
more  grace  than  her  grandpapa,  and  less  suffering.  Yet 
perhaps  this  is  hardly  a  legitimate  prayer  for  a  child : 
suffering  is  so  needful  for  growth  in  grace." 

Before  his  brother  and  sister  returned,  the  latter  had  a 
parting  interview.  "  The  great  thing  in  love,"  he  said,  "  is 
to  seek  each  other's  spi ritual  benefit.  Remember  that,  dear 
Katherine,  for  yourself  and  your  children.  Seek  to  glorify 
Christ  yourself,  and  seek  that  your  children  may  glorify 
Him."  "  Your  prayers  for  them,  clear  brother,  are  a  great 
comfort  to  me."  He  answered,  with  peculiar  solemnity,  "  No 
prayer  is  lost ;  they  are  lasting  and  living  things.  It  is  a  won- 
derful thought,  that  no  prayer  is  lost.  They  ever  live  ;  they 
are,  as  it  were,  indented  around  the  throne  of  God ;  and  when 
God  looks  around,  He  sees  the  prayers  of  His  people,  cov- 
ered with  the  sweet  incense  of  the  Savior's  intercession." 

"When  he  was  awake  and  conscious,  extreme  quiet  was 
always  enjoined,  and  Mrs.  B.,  with  a  painful  self-denial, 
kept  out  of  sight,  lest  the  effort  to  make  her  hear  should 
exhaust  his  strength,  and  destroy  the  very  faint  hope 
which  still  remained,  of  possible  recovery.  He  repeatedly 
asked  for  her,  and  begged  her  to  sit  by  him.  She  said 
she  feared  it  would  tire  him.  "  It  tires  me,  dearest,  not 
to  have  you."  He  afterward  called  for  a  slate,  and  tried 
to  write  messages  upon  it,  as  his  voice  was  too  weak  for 
her  to  hear  it.    Then  to  his  children,  "  I  am  afraid  my 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


401 


children  should  think  what  I  say  is  oracular.  It  is  noth- 
ing at  all,  except  so  far  as  it  is  according  to  the  word  of 
God,  and  I  am  anxious  you  should  bear  this  in  mind." 
The  day  before  he  said  to  his  son  and  myself :  "  I  hope 
you  will  make  arrangements  to  stay  at  AVatton  for  a  few 
weeks.  I  hope  the  time  of  my  illness  will  be  a  great 
blessing  to  my  dear  poor  people;  and  how  delightful  it 
would  be  to  have  my  two  dear  sons  the  fountain-springs 
of  these  blessings." 

When  the  63d  Psalm  had  been  read  to  him,  he  asked 
for  Psalm  cxxx.  When  it  was  finished,  he  said  :  "  Beau- 
tiful it  is  :  that  is  your  father's  only  ground  of  confidence." 
"  How  truly  this  is  called  the  body  of  our  humiliation. 
Well,  it  is  sown  in  corruption,  it  shall  be  raised  in  incor- 
ruption ;  it>  is  sown  a  natural  body,  it  shall  be  raised  a 
spiritual  body.  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 
death  of  his  saints." 

The  following  night,  when  the  daughter  who  watched 
with  him  expressed  her  fear  that  he  was  uncomfortable, 
he  answered,  "No,  I  am  very  comfortable,  I  have  had  a 
pleasant  dream ;  I  thought  I  was  in  the  green  pastures 
with  all  the  flock  of  Christ,  wandering  beside  the  still 
waters,  and  resting  in  those  cool,  green  pastures :  was  not 
that  pleasant  ?"  "  And  did  you  see  Jesus  there  ?"  "  Yes, 
that  was  the  delight  of  it,  you  know,  to  be  with  Him, 
and  while  He  was  there,  every  want  was  supplied.  '  The 
Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.'  He  supplies  the 
wants  of  the  whole  world,  by  the  atonement  He  has  made 
with  His  flesh  and  blood.  That  is  a  wonderful  thought. 
'  My  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed.' 
While  we  have  that,  we  can  not  want."  In  the  course  of 
the  same  night,  "  Such  multitudes  of  thoughts  come  into 
my  mind,  passages  of  my  past  life.  I  have  had  a  busy 
life ;  and  '  in  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me, 
Thy  comforts  refresh  my  soul.'  " 

The  post  of  that  morning  brought  a  letter  from  Merle 
d'Aubigne-,  who,  of  course  unconscious  of  his  illness, 
sought  his  advice  on  a  subject  of  great  delicacy,  and 


402 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  B1CKERSTETH. 


ended  with  saying: — "I  commit  this  to  your  wisdom,  your 
judgment,  and  your  fraternal  kindness."  I  told  him  sim- 
ply that  Merle  d'Aubigne  sent  his  affectionate  Christian 
remembrance.  "  Tell  him,  from  me,"  he  answered,  after 
a  short  pause,  to  collect  his  thoughts,  "my  heart  is  with 
him,  and  the  dear  foreign  brethren,  and  I  hope  the  Lord 
will  bless  them  greatly  in  their  efforts  to  spread  His  truth 
among  the  foreign  churches."  It  was  at  the  same  time, 
I  think,  that  he  added,  "  I  think  you  should  write  to  Dr. 
Steane,  and  say  to  him,  I  found  so  much  benefit,  in  my 
former  illness,  from  the  prayers  of  my  brethren  in  the 
Alliance,  that  I  should  be  sorry  to  lose  it  now."  Indeed 
there  was  no  fear  of  this  neglect,  and  perhaps  there  was 
no  one,  of  whom  it  was  more  widely  true,  that  prayer  was 
made  without  ceasing  of  the  church  unto  Gk>4  for  him ; 
and  these  petitions  were  largely  answered  in  the  peace  and 
blessedness  of  his  dying  hours. 

On  this  morning  alone  his  extreme  weakness  appeared 
to  cause  a  passing  cloud  of  depression.  He  said  to  his  son, 
"  I  have  been  accustomed,  all  my  life,  to  take  a  cheerful 
view  of  things,  and  find  it  difficult  to  do  so  now.  I  am 
ready  to  say,  "  All  these  things  are  against  me.' "  The 
text  was  suggested,  "  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against 
us?"  "Yes,  that  is  the  right  answer."  He  afterward  re- 
peated the  words,  "  When  I  Avalk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  Thou  wilt  be  with  me  ;"  and  when 
he  heard  his  nurse  say,  while  moving  him,  "  He  is  a  great 
sufferer,"  he  replied  in  a  whisper,  "  If  we  suffer  with  Him, 
we  shall  also  reign  with  Him." 

On  Thursday,  as  his  son  was  waiting  on  him,  he  spoke 
of  his  wife  and  their  little  one,  the  only  absent  members 
of  the  family  circle.  "I  want  you  to  take  a  message  to 
her  from  my  dying  pillow.  Tell  her  she  has  never  given 
me  one  moment's  uneasiness  as  a  daughter,  but  met  and 
gratified  every  wish ;  and  I  bless  God  for  His  grace  given 
to  her,  and  I  pray  God  to  multiply  His  grace  to  her  and 

you  and  yours."     Then,  with  deep  emphasis,  "E  

can  not  tell  how  much  I  love  her.    I  have  found  the 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


403 


greatest  comfort  through  my  life  with  your  mother  ;  now 

I  love  to  leave  her  to  you  and  T  ."    Then,  alluding 

to  Mr.  Thornton's  sudden  removal,  he  expressed  a  hope 
that  this,  and  his  own  experience,  might  be  "  as  lamps 
in  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death."  After  some 
other  directions,  he  said  to  his  eldest  daughter,  "I  am 
afraid  I  have  been  putting  confidence  in  other  things, 
thinking  too  much  about  arrangements  for  your  dear 
mother,  and  not  looking  simply  to  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and 
that  is  the  reason,  perhaps,  that  I  am  left  to  some  gloom. 

I  wish  T  to  make  it  clear,  in  my  Memoir,  that  I  have 

no  other  ground  of  confidence  but  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 
Christ  first,  Christ  last,  Christ  all  in  all." 

"  All  that  patience  and  love  can  do,  I  have,  both  from 
children  and  nurses."  Soon  after,  he  said  to  me,  as  I  was 
standing  by  him — and  they  were  the  last  words  I  heard 
from  his  lips,  "I  have  been  thinking  much  of  that  precious 
promise — '  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled :  ye  believe  in 
God,  believe  also  in  me.'  Believing  in  Jesus  is  the 
greatest  comfort.  We  must  try  to  be  better  ministers. 
The  good  of  the  people  is  the  great  thing :  all  beside  is  a 
passing  dream." 

No  murmur  ever  escaped  his  lips,  though  his  sufferings, 
from  various  causes,  were  great  and  distressing.  Each  of 
those  who  helped  to  wait  on  him  had  some  word  of  counsel 
or  of  comfort.  To  one  he  said,  "  There  are  only  two 
classes ;  mind  you  choose  the  right  way."  To  another, 
an  old  and  faithful  servant,  "You  must  forgive  my  faults: 
I  have  served  a  kind  and  faithful  Master."  None  could 
come  near  him,  without  being  struck  by  the  calm  and 
holy  earnestness  of  love,  in  the  broken  utterances  that 
fell  from  his  lips,  even  when  his  mind  was  wandering,  or 
his  tongue,  accustomed  to  the  law  of  kindness,  almost 
refused  its  wonted  office. 

On  the  evening  of  this  day  (Friday  22d)  he  sank  into 
a  heavy  sleep,  which  lasted  nearly  three  days  and  nights 
without  intermission.  But  on  Monday,  about  midnight, 
while  one  of  his  children  was  holding  his  hand,  his  eyes 


404  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


lightened  up  again.  "  Dearest  father,"  she  said,  "is  Jesus 
with  you  ?"  His  lips  tried  in  vain  to  move.  "  If  He 
is,  press  my  hand."  He  did  so,  looking  earnestly  upon 
her.  "Have  you  no  fears?"  He  again  tried  to  speak, 
but  his  voice  failing  him,  pressed  her  hand  again.  She 
asked  a  third  question,  but  the  gleam  of  consciousness 
had  disappeared.  When  all  had  hastily  gathered  to  his 
room,  and  stood  around  him,  the  conscious  light  again 
returned,  and  his  eye  rested  on  each,  but  chiefly  on  his 
wife,  with  a  look  of  calm  and  quiet  love.  When  his 
nurse,  toward  morning,  gave  him  his  usual  beverage,  he 
said,  "  This  is  very  pleasant,  it  is  like  the  grace  of  Jesus." 
His  child,  who  was  then  watching  with  the  nurse,  asked 
for  his  blessing.  He  answered,  "The  Lord  bless  thee, 
my  child,  with  overflowing  grace,  now  and  forever."  This 
was  one  of  the  last  sentences  that  was  distinctly  heard 
from  his  lips. 

Through  the  next  two  days  he  continued  almost  or 
quite  unconscious,  with  little  change ;  and  as  his  medical 
attendant  thought  it  possible  he  might  continue,  after 
rallying  so  repeatedly,  for  several  days,  or  perhaps  weeks, 
his  son  thought  it  right  to  return  for  a  day  or  two  to  his 
parish,  where  a  person  was  dying,  who  greatly  desired  to 
see  him.  He  had  scarcely  left  more  than  an  hour,  when 
a  change  began  to  appear.  From  ten  o'clock  till  five,  all 
of  us  were  gathered  round  him,  uncertain  how  soon  the 
moment  of  parting  would  come.  The  expression  was  one 
of  languor  and  weariness,  except  in  his  eye,  which  was 
clear  and  bright,  calm  and  solemn,  looking  upward  toward 
heaven.  Though  still  unconscious  of  the  presence  of  those 
around  him,  the  dull,  heavy  expression  in  his  times  of 
torpor  had  entirely  passed  away,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the 
spirit,  in  holy  expectation,  were  waiting  each  moment  for 
its  summons  to  the  presence  of  the  Savior.  A  few 
minutes  before  five,  the  breathing,  which  had  been  slower 
and  slower,  suddenly  ceased.  It  seemed  as  if  life  were 
gone,  but,  after  a  pause  of  nearly  a  minute,  with  one  sob 
the  breath  returned  again.    Six  or  seven  times  this  solemn 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


405 


and  affecting  pause  was  repeated.  A  shade  of  deeper  awe 
seemed  then  to  pass  over  his  countenance,  which  presently 
was  lighted  up  with  an  expression  of  radiant  joy.  The 
breathing  was  noiseless,  his  eye  grew  brighter  and  brighter, 
till  at  length  the  breath  parted,  and  returned  no  more. 
The  light  still  lingered  in  his  eye,  and  those  who  watched 
around  his  pillow  scarcely  knew  the  moment  of  his  de- 
parture, when  his  spirit  forsook  the  body,  to  be  "  at  home 
with  the  Lord." 

The  funeral  took  place  the  following  Thursday,  March  7. 
It  was  an  affecting  and  solemn  scene.  Beside  a  large 
number  of  his  parishioners,  many  of  whom  were  weeping 
for  their  loss,  and  of  the  neighboring  clergy,  who  sought 
to  show  their  deep  respect  and  love  to  his  memory,  there 
were  also  present  many  beloved  brethren,  as  deputations 
from  various  Societies,  the  Church  Missionary,  the  Jews', 
the  Foreign  Aid,  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  and  the  Irish 
Church  Missions ;  who  came  to  testify  the  grief  of  thou- 
sands, his  fellow-laborers  in  these  works  of  love,  at  the 
removal  of  one  so  justly  dear  to  the  Church  of  Christ. 
The  language  in  which  one  of  them  described  his  own 
feelings,  expresses  those  which  were  shared  by  many 
hearts.  "  When  they  bore  the  coffin  in  at  the  gateway, 
through  the  rows  of  parishioners,  to  whom  he  had  so  often 
published  the  Gospel  of  peace,  the  grief  of  his  removal 
was  swallowed  up  in  thankfulness  for  his  finished  labors, 
and  the  full  proof  of  his  ministry.  And  when,  after  an 
anthem  had  been  sung,  and  the  service  read  by  his  aged 
brother,  we  gathered  round  the  open  grave,  and  the  sun- 
beam broke  through  the  gray  clouds  of  a  March  morning, 
and  the  song  of  the  mounting  lark  reminded  us  that  it 
was  spring-time  on  the  earth,  I  felt  as  if,  instead  of  weep- 
ing with  those  who  wept  around  that  grave,  we  were 
called  to  rejoice  with  the  ransomed  spirit,  rejoicing  before 
the  throne.  When  the  funeral  was  over,  many  rehirned 
to  the  Rectory,  where  fervent  prayers  were  offered  up  for 
the  family,  the  parish,  and  the  Church,  as  affected  by  this 
dispensation. 


406  MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


"  Very  solemn  it  was  to  enter  the  vacated  dwelling ;  to 
view  those  apartments,  filled  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling 
with  his  noble  library,  to  find  one's  self  in  the  very  cham- 
ber where  he  had  often  prevented  the  dawning  of  the  day, 
with  prayer  and  meditation, — the  chamber  visited  by  so 
many  happy  thoughts,  and  from  which  had  issued  so 
many  profitable  books  and  fraternal  letters.  It  was  like 
finding  one's  self  in  Enoch's  homestead,  to  tread  for  once 
the  fields  and  garden-paths,  where  in  other  days  he  had 
walked  with  God." 

Two  funeral  sermons  were  preached  the  following  Sun- 
day at  Watton  Church ;  in  the  morning  by  the  Rev.  E. 
Auriol,  from  Rom.  viii.  38,  39,  and  in  the  afternoon  by 
Dr.  M'Neile,  from  Matt.  xxv.  23.  Besides  these,  many 
other  sermons  were  preached,  and  several  have  been  pub- 
lished, on  occasion  of  this  bereavement  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  Most  of  the  religious  Societies,  in  whose  cause  he 
had  labored,  recorded  publicly  their  deep  sense  of  his 
earnest  zeal  and  holy  love,  and  their  sorrow  for  the  loss 
which  they  had  undergone,  while  they  rejoiced  in  the 
thought  that  he  rested  now  from  his  labors  in  the  presence 
of  his  Lord.  It  will  be  enough  here  to  insert  one  of  these 
testimonies,  from  that  much-loved  Society  in  the  service 
of  which  he  had  labored  as  Secretary  for  so  many  years, 
and  which  held  to  the  last  so  large  a  place  in  the  deepest 
affections  of  his  heart. 

"  The  Secretaries  having  reported  the  death  of  the  Rev. 
Edward  Bickersteth,  Rector  of  Watton,  Herts,  formerly 
Clerical  Secretary  of  the  Society,  on  the  28th  of  February, 
the  following  Minute  was  adopted — 

"  On  receiving  the  intelligence  of  the  decease  of  the 
Rev.  E.  Bickersteth,  the  Committee  feel  a  mournful  pleas- 
ure in  reviewing  his  invaluable  services  to  this  Institution, 
and  in  expressing  their  deep  sense  of  the  loss  thus  sus- 
tained by  the  Society,  by  the  Church,  and  by  the  cause 
of  Missions  in  the  world. 

"  There  are  yet  present  in  the  Committee  some  of  its 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


407 


older  members,  who  can  well  remember  how  the  sagacious 
eye  of  the  late  Rev.  Josiah  Pratt  first  discerned  in  Mr. 
Bickersteth  those  peculiar  qualifications,  which,  sanctified 
by  the  grace  of  God,  gave  sure  promise  of  future  useful- 
ness. 

"  It  appears  from  one  of  his  Jubilee  Tracts,  that  the 
Farewell  Sermons  of  Henry  Martyn  were  among  the  ear- 
liest circumstances  that  kindled  the  Missionary  spirit  of 
Edward  Bickersteth.  Being  endowed  with  a  vigorous  and 
ardent  mind,  enjoying  also  a  constitution  capable  of  much 
labor  and  fatigue,  and  trained  in  the  legal  profession,  Mr. 
Bickersteth  brought  at  once  to  the  service  of  the  Society 
the  very  talents  most  needed  at  that  stage  of  its  proceed- 
ings. The  duties  connected  with  this  institution,  which 
was  then  rapidly  rising  in  public  estimation,  would  have 
proved  overwhelming  even  to  the  robust  frame  of  Mr. 
Pratt,  had  not  his  youthful  friend  then  come  in  to  succor 
him ;  which  he  did  with  all  the  affection  and  devotedness 
of  a  son  laboring  with  a  father  in  the  Gospel.  And  yet 
further,  in  the  ordering  of  Providence— as  it  were,  both  to 
test  and  to  mature  the  Missionary  powers  of  Mr.  Bicker- 
steth— a  sphere  of  foreign  exertions  immediately  presented 
itself;  requiring,  although  but  temporarily,  very  great 
personal  and  domestic  sacrifice. 

"  The  results  of  Mr.  Bickersteth's  visit  to  "West  Africa 
are  given  in  an  admirable  document,  which  appears  in  the 
Appendix  of  the  Society's  16th  Report.  Its  value  con- 
sisted, not  only  in  its  immediate  relation  to  Sierra  Leone, 
but  as  opening  to  the  Members  of  the  Church  at  large 
various  important  principles,  and  many  scarcely  less  im- 
portant details,  connected  with  Missionary  work. 

"From  this  date— 1816  to  1831— Mr.  Bickersteth  was 
entirely  identified  with  the  Committee,  as  holding  the 
office,  first  of  Assistant  Secretary,  and  afterward  of  joint 
Clerical  Secretary  to  the  Society.  During  this  period, 
beside  the  routine  of  official  duties,  he  was  frequently  en- 
gaged in  extensive  journeys,  advocating  the  Society's 
cause  both  in  the  pulpit,  in  Public  Meetings,  and  in 


408 


MEMOIR  OF  EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 


smaller  social  parties.  His  published  works,  also,  at  this 
time,  were  greatly  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the  Society, 
especially  the  two  earliest — on  'The  Word  of  God,'  and 
on  '  Prayer ;'  which  productions,  it  is  well  known  to  his 
friends,  were  the  result  of  his  studies  for  the  pulpit,  and 
the  solace  of  his  devout  spirit  during  his  extensive  jour- 
neys for  the  Society. 

"  Although  a  period  of  twenty  years  has  since  elapsed, 
during  which,  beside  his  parochial  duties,  a  vast  multitude 
of  important  religious  objects  have  unceasingly  occupied 
his  attention,  yet  the  Committee  would  record  with  grati- 
tude the  many  services  which  he  voluntarily  continued  to 
render  to  the  Society,  especially  at  the  Jubilee.  Truly  it 
may  be  said,  that  this  Institution  enjoyed  his  earliest  affec- 
tions, a  great  share  of  his  best  exertions,  and  his  latest 
prayers. 

"  While  the  Committee  deeply  and  affectionately  sym- 
pathize with  his  bereaved  widow  and  family,  and  with  the 
Church  at  large,  in  the  loss  of  Edward  Bickersteth,  yet 
they  delight  in  contemplating  the  example  of  one  who, 
being  steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  through  hope,  and  rooted 
in  charity,  passed  through  the  waves  of  this  troublesome 
world  with  a  greater  measure  of  public  affection  and 
respect  than  most  men,  even  good  men,  enjoy.  It  is  their 
consolation  to  remember  that  the  Master  whom  he  so 
faithfully  served  was  pleased  to  honor,  support,  and  com- 
fort him  to  the  last ;  and  that  he  is  now  safely  arrived  at 
the  land  of  everlasting  life,  and  has  there  exchanged  our 
recent  Jubilee  for  his  eternal  Jubilee  in  the  Church 
triumphant. 

"  The  Committee  can  not  close  this  imperfect  notice 
without  adding,  that  the  removal  of  Edward  Bickersteth 
is  a  call  upon  all  the  members  of  the  Society  for  special 
prayer,  that  the  Lord  would  pour  out  His  Holy  Spirit 
upon  the  Church,  and  raise  up  many  men  able  to  supply 
his  place — men  of  faith  and  love,  of  simplicity  and  godly 
sincerity,  and  of  effectual  fervent  prayer — men  who  will 
not  only  advocate  the  claims  of  Religious  Societies  with 


LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


409 


ability,  but  who  also  will  carry  with  them,  as  he  did,  into 
the  bosoin  of  society,  in  all  their  journeys  and  social  Meet- 
ings, a  holy  savor  of  the  spiritual  principles,  on  the  main- 
tenance of  which  depends  all  hope  of  the  blessing  and 
presence  of  the  Lord." 

VOL.  II. — s 


THE  END. 


A  tablet  has  been  erected  to  bis  memory,  in  the  cbancel 
of  Watton  Church,  with  the  following  inscription : 


NEAR  THIS  SPOT,  WITHOUT  THE  WALLS, 
ARE   INTERRED  THE  EARTHLY  REMAINS  OF 

EDWARD  BICKERSTETH, 

FOR  NEARLY  TWENTY  YEARS  THE  PASTOR   OF  THIS  PARISH, 
WHO   FELL  ASLEEP  IN  JESUS,  FEB.   28,  1850, 
AGED   63  YEARS. 
BLESSED  BE  THE  GOD  AND  FATHER  OF  OUR  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST, 
WHO  EARLY  CALLED  HIS  SERVANT  TO  THE  KNOWLEDGE  OF 
HIS  TRUTH  J 
BY  WHOSE   GRACE,  ABIDING  IN  CHRIST, 
HE  BROUGHT  FORTH  MUCH  FRUIT  TO  HIS  GLORY  : 
AS  A  FAITHFUL  MINISTER  OF  THE  MANIFOLD  GRACE  OF  GOD, 
BY  HIS  WRITINGS,  AND  LABORS,  AND  A  LIFE  OF  LOVING  SERVICE, 
STRIVING   FOR  THE  FAITH   OF  THE  GOSPEL 
IN  THIS  AND  DISTANT  LANDS. 
KNOWN,  REVERED,  AND  LOVED,  BY  THE  SERVANTS  OF  THE  LORD, 
IN  EVERY  PART   OF  THE  WORLD  J 
HE   GLORIED   ONLY  IN  THE   CROSS  OF  CHRIST, 
WHOSE   LOVE   CONSTRAINED  HIM  IN  LIFE, 
WHOSE  ARM  SUPPORTED  HIM  IN  DEATH, 
AND  WHOSE  RETURN  IN   GLORY  HE   WILL   QUICKLY  SHARE  '. 
WHEREFORE  WE   SORROW  NOT  AS  THOSE  WITHOUT  HOPE, 
FOR  HE  IS   NOT  DEAD,  BUT  SLEEPETH, 
AND  THOSE  THAT  SLEEP  IN  JESUS  WILL  GOD  BRING  WITH  HIM. 


The  following  are  the  principal  works  published  by  Mr. 
Bickersteth,  and  now  in  print. 

A  Scripture  Help ;  designed  to  assist  in  reading  the  Bible 
profitably. 

A  Treatise  on  Prayer ;  designed  to  promote  the  spirit  of  De- 
votion. 

A  Treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper.  Of  this,  one  portion  has 
been  printed  separately,  entitled,  A  Companion  to  the  Holy 
Communion. 

The  Christian  Student ;  designed  to  assist  in  acquiring  Reli- 
gious Knowledge. 

Christian  Truth  :  a  Family  Guide  to  the  Chief  Truths  of  the 
Gospel. 

The  Chief  Concerns  of  Man,  for  Time  and  Eternity. 

Family  Prayers.  A  course  for  Eight  Weeks,  with  occasional 
Prayers. 

A  Practical  Guide  to  the  Prophecies. 

The  Signs  of  the  Times  in  the  East,  a  Warning  to  the  West. 
The  Promised  Glory  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 
The  Restoration  of  the  Jews  to  their  Own  Land. 
A  Treatise  on  Baptism. 

Family  Expositions  of  the  Epistles  of  St.  John  and  St.  Jude. 
The  Divine  Warning  of  the  Church. 

The  Christian  Hearer,  is  not  at  present  in  print. 


And  the  following  Works  were  adapted  or  compiled  by 
him  from  older  writers. 

The  Testimony  of  the  Reformers :  From  Cranmer,  Jewell, 
Bradford,  and  others. 

The  Book  of  Private  Devotions ;  chiefly  compiled  from  the 
Works  of  the  Reformers. 

Practical  Reflections  on  the  Four  Gospels,  arranged  as  a  Har- 
mony. 

The  Christian  Fathers  of  the  First  and  Second  Centuries. 
A  Manual  of  Prayers  for  the  Young. 

Christian  Psalmody ;  a  Collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  for 
public  worship. 


Beside  the  above,  Mr.  Bickersteth  published  many  single 
Sermons,  Addresses,  &c.  which  were  afterward  collected 
into  a  volume,  entitled,  Occasional  Works. 


HISTORY  OF 

SPAIISH  LITERATURE. 

WITH  CRITICISMS   ON  PARTICULAR  WORKS,   AND  BIOGRAPHICAL 
NOTICES  OF   PROMINENT  WRITERS. 

BY  GEORGE  TICKNOR,  ESQ. 

3  vols.  8vo,  muslin,  $6  00  ;  sheep,  $6  75  ;  half  calf,  $7  50. 


George  Ticknor's  History  of  Spanish  Literature,  in  three  volumes,  is  a 
masterly  work. — Letter  of  Alex,  von  Humboldt,  Potsdam,  June  19, 1850. 

Mr.  G.  Ticknor's  admirable  History  of  Spanish  Literature  is  written  with 
great  conscientiousness,  and  with  singular  critical  circumspection  and  judg- 
ment.— F.  Wolf  (Dissertation  read  to  the  Imperial  Academy  of  Vienna). 

There  has  recently  appeared  from  the  American  press,  written  by  an 
American  scholar,  one  of  the  most  comprehensive,  profound,  and  elegant 
works  which  has  ever  been  published  in  the  department  of  literary  histo- 
ry. We  receive  it  with  patriotic  pride.  But  this  work  could  be  written, 
in  this  country,  only  by  one  who  could  procure  for  himself  the  necessary 
literary  apparatus.  The  library  of  the  author  contains  some  13,000  vol- 
umes, and  in  the  department  of  Spanish  literature  is  one  of  the  richest 
in  the  world. — Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  the  Smith- 
|   sonian  Institution  to  Congress. 

It  is  also  with  great  pleasure  that  I  find  another  gentleman  from  the 
United  States,  the  author  of  the  excellent  History  of  Spanish  Literature, 
augmenting  the  list  of  our  honorary  members. — Lord  Mahon's  Address 
to  the  Society  of  Antiauanes,  London,  as  their  President. 

Here  is  one  of  those  rare  and  noble  contributions  of  intellect  and  learn- 
ing which  serve  to  exalt  the  character  of  a  nation. — Nat.  Intelligencer. 

We  have  no  hesitation  in  affirming  that  we  do  not  believe  there  are  six 
men  in  Europe  who  are  qualified  to  take  Mr.  Ticknor's  volumes  and  "re- 
view" them,  in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  word.  The  masterly  sweep  of  his 
general  grasp,  and  the  elaborated  finish  of  his  constituent  sketches,  silence 
the  caviler  at  the  very  outset. — London  Morning  Chronicle. 

Un  ouvrage  tres  remarquable,  qui  vient  de  paraitre  aux  Ktats  Unis — 
V History  of  Spanish  Literature,  par  M.  Ticknor,  presente  en  trois  forts 
volumes  in  8vo  un  recit  complet  et  judicieux  de  tout  ce  qui  concerne  la 
literature  de  la  Peninsule.  Resultat  de  recherches  infatigables,  cette  his- 
toire  ne  laisse  rien  a.  desirer  a  l'egard  du  sujet  qu'elle  traite.  Elle  est  in- 
finiment  au  dessus  des  livres  de  Bouterwek  et  de  Sismondi.— Teschner, 
"  Bulletin  du  Bibliophile,"  Paris. 

The  appearance  of  a  work  like  the  present  is  an  important  event  in  our 
literary  history.  For  completeness  of  plan,  depth  of  learning,  and  thor- 
oughness of  execution,  nothing  superior  has  been  produced  in  the  English 
language  in  our  day. — Bibliotheca  Sacra. 


2      Ticknor's  History  of  Spanish  Literature. 


L'etendue  des  recherches,  le  gout  et  la  surete  des  appreciations  litt6- 
raires,  lui  donnent  un  prix  tout  special. — Buunet  in  "  Le  Bulletin  Beige," 
Bruxelles. 

Mr.  Ticknor's  history  is  conducted  in  a  truly  philosophical  spirit  In- 
stead of  presenting  a  barren  record  of  books — which,  like  the  catalogue  of 
a  gallery  of  paintings,  is  of  comparatively  little  use  to  those  who  have  not 
previously  studied  them — he  illustrates  the  works  by  the  personal  history 
of  their  authors,  and  this,  again,  by  the  history  of  the  times  in  which  they 
lived ;  affording,  by  the  reciprocal  action  of  one  on  the  other,  a  complete 
record  of  Spanish  civilization,  both  social  and  intellectual. — N.  American 
Review. 

These  volumes  on  Spanish  literature,  which  it  is  but  moderate  praise  to 
say  are  far  superior  to  any  thing  that  has  gone  before  them,  in  wideness 
of  range,  depth  of  learning,  and  thoroughness  of  research,  quite  absolve 
the  coming  world  from  the  duty  of  writing  another  work  on  the  same  sub- 
ject.— Christian  Examiner. 

*  *  *  We  have  thus  surveyed  a  work  whose  foundations  are  laid  broad 
and  deep  in  the  most  comprehensive  learning.  The  materials  are  wrought 
together  with  consummate  art,  and  the  finished  structure  will  stand  secure 
against  the  attacks  of  time. — Baptist  Review. 

The  volumes  on  our  table  possess  a  degree  of  interest  and  attraction  not 
to  be  surpassed  by  any  that  have  been  published  in  the  present  century, 
and  open  upon  us  a  world  as  novel  as  that  which  the  genius  of  Columbus 
made  bare  to  the  adventurers  of  Castile  and  Aragon. — De  Bow's  Review 
of  the  Southern  and  Western  States. 

This  work  makes  a  real  addition  to  the  stores  of  knowledge  contained 
in  the  English  language,  and  it  should  be  remarked  that  this  knowledge 
is  of  great  value  ;  for  the  history  of  the  literature  of  a  nation  is  a  reflection 
of  its  political  history ;  and,  with  respect  to  Spain,  its  history  and  its  lit- 
erature are  peculiarly  interesting  aud  important,  as  developing  the  influ- 
ences of  the  papal  religion  under  circumstances  the  most  favorable. — New 
Englander. 

Spain's  literature  (like  all  national  literatures)  faithfully  mirrors  the 
growth  and  decay  of  the  national  character.  To  those  who  feel  but  little 
interest  in  the  mere  annals  of  warfare  abroad  and  persecution  at  home, 
and  care  only  for  the  history  of  the  human  soul  under  these  adverse  cir- 
cumstances, Mr.  Ticknor's  three  volumes  will  supply  more  of  interest  and 
information  than  a  hundred  regular  histories. —  Westminster  Review. 

It  is  a  history  in  the  better  sense — dealing  with  men  as  well  as  books, 
and  eliciting,  from  the  facts  of  literary  production,  the  higher  truths  of  so- 
cial civilization.  There  is  nothing  to  compare  with  it  on  the  subject  of 
which  it  treats,  and  we  may  safely  predict  that  it  is  likely  to  hold  its 
ground  as  a  standard  book  in  English  literature. — London  Examiner. 

*  *  *  And  to  these  must  now  be  added  the  recently  published  History 
of  Spanish  Literature,  by  Mr.  Tickuor  ;  a  masterly  performance,  and  which 
perhaps,  of  all  compositions  of  the  kind,  has  the  most  successfully  com- 
bined popularity  of  style  with  sound  criticism  and  extensive  research 
within  its  own  compartment. — Edinburgh  Revieic. 


THE  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 


OF 


THOMAS  CAMPBELL. 

EDITED  BY  WILLIAM  BEATTIE,  M.D. 
WITH  AN  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER,  BY  WASHINGTON  IRVING,  ESQ. 

IN  TWO   VOLUMES,   12M0,  MUSLIN,  $2  50. 

We  have  no  hesitation  in  commending  his  volumes. — Meth.  Quart.  Rev. 

These  volumes  are  the  most  interesting  contributions  to  the  British  clas- 
sics that  have  appeared  for  several  years. — Evening  Journal. 

We  have  not  seen  a  book  for  a  long  time  which  we  welcomed  with  more 
real  pleasure.  We  feel  almost  as  if,  in  publishing  this  book,  the  Messrs. 
Harper  had  conferred  a  personal  favor  on  us. —  Two  Worlds. 

Every  page  is  full  of  interest,  and,  on  its  perusal,  we  feel  that  a  full  and 
correct  likeness  of  the  poet  is  in  our  possession. — Albany  Atlas. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  LEIGH  HUNT, 

WITH  REMINISCENCES  OF  HIS  FRIENDS  AND  CONTEMPORARIES. 
IN  TWO   VOLUMES,  12M0,   MUSLIN,   $1  50. 

A  work  sparkling  with  gems  of  thought,  and  replete  with  interest  of  va- 
rious kinds.  Off-hand,  dashing  sketches  of  eminent  literary  men,  the  friends 
and  companions  of  the  illustrious  subject  of  the  book  — sketchy,  admirable 
criticism  of  the  works  of  the  day,  and  anecdotes  of  different  persons  met 
with  iu  the  course  of  his  career — these  form  the  two  volumes  of  the  Auto-  j 
biography,  which,  once  taken  up,  will  not,  we  venture  to  say,  be  laid  down  \ 
until  the  last  page  is  reluctantly  reached. — Alfred  B.  Street. 

A  delightful  book;  delightful  in  what  relates  to  the  author,  and  no  less  so 
in  what  relates  to  the  men  of  letters  who  were  his  contemporaries  and 
friends. — N.  Y.  Evening  Post. 

We  would  not  be  without  this  Autobiography  of  Leigh  Hunt  for  the  price 
of  fifty  such  volumes. — N.  Y.  Journal  of  Commerce. 

A  couple  of  racy,  egotistical,  gossiping  volumes,  abounding  in  picturesque 
descriptions  of  contemporary  events  and  men,  and  in  anecdotes  illustrative 
of  the  times  during  which  Leigh  Hunt  was  a  notable  name.  In  connection 
with  the  "Life  and  Correspondence  of  Southey,"  and  the  "Life  of  Camp- 
bell," they  furnish  a  highly  interesting  view  of  literary,  political,  and  social 
life  in  England  during  the  last  half  century. — Southern  Christian  Advocate. 

This  work  will  afford  much  gratification  and  meet  with  many  admirers. — 
Washington  Union. 

Harper  &  Brothers,  Publishers,  82  Cliff  Street,  IVew  York. 


"  THE  MOST  COMPLETE  LATIN  DICTIONARY  THAT  HAS  APPEARED 


A  LATIN-ENGLISH  LEXICOI, 

Founded  on  the  larger  Latin-German  Lexicon  of  Dr.  William  Freund. 
With  Additions  and  Corrections  from  the  Lexicons  of 
Gesner,  Facciolati,  Schiller,  Georges,  &c. 

BY  E.  A.  ANDREWS,  LL.D. 

ROYAL  8VO,  SHEEP  EXTRA,  $5  00. 

It  is  difficult  to  speak  of  this  magnificent  work  in  terms  that  will  not  savor  of  ex- 
travagance to  those  who  have  not  examined  it.  The  imperfections  of  the  lexicons  in 
common  use,  such  as  Ainsworth's  and  Leverett's,  have  long  been  felt,  while  the  larger 
works  of  Facciolati  and  others  have  been  at  once  beyond  the  means  and  unsuitable  to 
the  purpose  of  ordinary  students.  The  work  before  us  combines  the  cheapness  and 
compactness  of  the  one  class  with  the  completeness  and  accuracy  of  the  other.  It  is 
essentially  a  reproduction  into  English,  with  corrections  by  the  American  editor,  of  the 
great  German  Lexicon  of  Freund,  a  work  which,  being  the  result  of  many  years'  pa- 
tient toil  by  one  of  the  first  Latin  scholars  of  the  age,  stands  confessedly  at  the  head  of 
this  department  of  scholarship.  *  *  *  With  these  advantages  this  lexicon  must  speedily 
supersede  all  those  in  common  use,  as  the  cheapest  and  best  acceptable  aid  to  the  ac- 
quisition of  the  noble  language  of  Virgil  and  Cicero. —  Watchman  and  Reflector. 

A  little  experience  in  the  use  of  this  extensive  and  accurate  cyclopedia  of  the  Latin 
language,  will  induce  students  to  abandon  the  old  lexicons  at  once.—  Christian  Advocate. 

Liddell  and  Scott's  most  admirable  Greek  Lexicon,  Dr.  Robinson's  Lexicon  of  the 
New  Testament,  Prof.  Authon's  Classical  Dictionary,  and  now  this  work  of  Prof.  An- 
drews, together  form  a  series,  whose  usefulness,  scholarship,  and  excellence,  it  would 
be  impossible  to  exceed  in  the  English  language. — Christian  Parlor  Magazine. 

A  great  work — a  work  of  great  labor — a  work  of  great  practical  importance  to  the 
classical  student. — Methodist  Protestant. 

The  best  work  of  the  kind  unquestionably  in  the  English  language. — Zion's  Herald. 

A  valuable  work.  It  forms  an  excellent  companion  for  the  Greek  Lexicon,  edited  by 
Prof  Drisler,  and  the  English-Latui,  by  Prof.  Anthon.  We  perceive  that  an  English- 
Greek  Lexicon,  edited  by  Prof.  Drisler,  is  also  in  preparation — when  completed,  the 
student  will  have  a  very  complete  apparatus  for  the  reading  of  the  classical  authors  of 
Greece  aud  Rome,  and  composing  in  those  languages  with  correctness  and  facility. — 
Churchman. 

A  superb  volume.  *  *  *  The  American  student  has  here  all  the  substantial  advant- 
ages of  the  most  superior  of  the  German-Latin  Lexicons,  in  a  form  adapted  to  daily 
use.  This  will  become  the  standard  Lexicon  of  its  kind,  and  find  us  way  into  all  the 
schools  and  colleges  of  the  country. —  Southern  Christian  Advocate. 

We  congratulate  the  students  and  teachers  of  the  Latin  language  on  the  appearance 
of  this  elaborate  work.  It  furnishes  them  with  an  apparatus  far  superior  to  that  en- 
joyed by  their  predecessors.  It  contains  the  results  of  the  most  thorough  scholarship, 
foreign  and  domestic,  and  is  abundantly  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  student.  The  pres- 
ent work  is  distinguished  from  every  manual  Latui-English  Lexicon  heretofore  pub- 
lished, not  only  by  the  number  of  authorities  cited,  but  by  its  full  reference  in  every  case 
both  to  the  name  of  the  classical  author,  and  to  the  particular  treatise,  book,  section,  or 
line  of  his  writings  in  which  the  passage  referred  to  is  to  be  found.  We  hope  the  book 
will  find  its  way  into  all  the  literary  institutions  of  our  land.— N.  Y.  Observer. 

The  most  complete  Latin  Dictionary  that  has  ever  appeared. — Mcth.  Quart.  Review. 

We  venture  to  say  that  teachers  of  Latin,  wherever  the  English  language  is  spoken, 
will  acknowledge  their  indebtedness  to  the  editor,  translators,  and  publishers  for  this 
Lexicon,  as  one  altogether  superior  to  any  in  existence. — New  York  Recorder. 

The  Harpers  have  laid  all  the  students  of  Latin  in  the  Union  under  obligations  of 
gratitude  by  the  excellence  of  this  Lexicon.  All  others  that  we  have  seen  fade  into 
insignificance  when  compared  with  this. — Louisville  Courier. 

We  may  congratulate  the  schools  of  this  country,  and  the  readers  of  Latin,  on  the 
publication  of  this  work,  which  is  unquestionably  far  superior  to  any  Latin-English  dic- 
tionary we  have. — New  York  Evening  Post. 
&       The  best  dictionary  of  the  Latin  language  we  have  yet  seen. — National  Intelligencer. 

Harper  &  Brothers,  Publishers,  82  Cliff  Street,  New  York. 


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